Sepsis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Antibodies

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Sepsis

Alternative Names:

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

Symptoms:

Fever or hypothermia (low body temperature)
Hyperventilation
Chills
Shaking
Warm skin
Skin rash
Rapid heart beat
Confusion or delirium
Decreased urine output

Signs and tests:

White blood cell count that is low or high
Platelet count that is low
Blood culture that is positive for bacteria
Blood gases that reveal acidosis
Kidney function tests that are abnormal (early in the course of disease)

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Peripheral smear may demonstrate a low platelet count and destruction of red blood cells.
Fibrin degradation products are often elevated, a condition that may be associated with a tendency to bleed.
Blood differential -- with immature white blood cells seen

Review Date: 8/25/2004
Reviewed By: Updates to specific sections made by Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (7/14/2004).

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