The Very Best Ways To Diagnose And Treat Sepsis

Men, you know about this one. Sepsis is a medical emergency! It really is. It's a bad, bad reaction to an infection. It's even life-threatening! Men, if you've got sepsis, your body didn't release the right balance of chemicals to fight an infection. It didn't do its job right! Sepsis attacks your organs, damaging them! Your blood pressure can drop so, so low because of it. So low. So low that it's septic shock!

You'll need to get to a hospital. Now! Do it now. That's where you'll get emergency sepsis treatment. Expect IV fluids for sepsis. Many, many men also get broad-spectrum antibiotics for sepsis. Yes, they're the jack of all trades here! The specific treatments for sepsis come after tests. Other huge fighters? Surgery and supportive care for sepsis! You'll tackle this with no problem, men. It's all down to diagnosis and timing!

Blood Tests

You're going to have blood taken from you, men. Yes, you've got to get at least 1 blood test to diagnose sepsis. Many, many men get blood taken from 2 sites. Your doc needs the info this is going to give! They're looking for infection evidence and clotting problems. Electrolyte imbalances too! Your doc is also checking for any problems in your liver and kidneys with blood tests.

They'll do a test called a CBC. This is going to check your white blood cells, men. If you've got too many, there's an infection in your body! Many, so many, men get a C-reactive protein level blood test too. This is going to track down inflammation! A blood culture is another power tool here. It's going to find out what bacteria caused your infection! And if you need clotting tests? Men, you're expecting platelet counts, prothrombin time, and d-dimer tests. But men, hold your horses. Your doc needs to do more than a blood test to diagnose sepsis!

Wound Secretion Test

A wound secretion test is a huge, huge part of diagnosing sepsis. Men, you're going to need this! Your doc uses it to find out what is behind your infection. See, huge! They need this info to get you the best, the very best, antibiotics. The good news? You don't need to prep for this test. No studying needed! Just show up and tell your doc about the meds that you take.

Your doc's going to clean your wound. A numbing med will keep you comfortable! And then? They'll use a cotton swab if your wound's open. If not, it's time for a syringe! Serious, serious wounds need your doc to cut into your skin a bit first. But only if the wound's serious!

IV Fluids

When you're in the hospital, men, sepsis means IV fluids! You'll get them so fast. So fast! You'll get them within 3 hours. They're going to stop your blood pressure dropping. They'll stop it! IV fluids stop you from going into shock. They're so, so good because an IV line means your doc can track how much fluid you get. The line will control what type you get too! All while stopping damage from sepsis. Win!

Saline is the most common IV fluid. Yes, men, you guessed it. It's made from water and sodium! The sodium's what is going to help your body absorb all this fluid. It's a powerful electrolyte! Colloids are thicker than it, so they won't dissolve as fast! But men? You'll still need some saline to balance everything out!

Antibiotics

Many, many men get antibiotics for sepsis. Yes, they're often first on the list, along with those IV fluids! Men, you'll get the broad antibiotics first. Your doc won't know what's caused your infection right away. But yes, you still need them. Sepsis is an emergency! That's why you get the broad ones fast. So fast! Men, you'll also get them in an IV.

While you're getting the broad ones, your doc is going to run tests. They're going to pinpoint the cause! Once they do, you're in luck! You'll get better antibiotics. Much better ones! They'll fight the exact cause so well. They have the best target for your sepsis! And men? Finish all your antibiotics. Don't be a hero and stop halfway. Yes, even if you feel better. You know you shouldn't! Don't let any bacteria stick around. Your doc knows what they're doing.

Vasopressors

IV fluids and antibiotics kick sepsis out of the race many times. So many times! But some men aren't super lucky. Sad. This is why doctors talk about vasopressors! These meds are the backup you need! They'll be on your fighter list if you still have super low blood pressure after IV fluids. They're going to make your vessels get narrow. So narrow! Men, you need them narrow! You know that. The narrow vessels make your blood pressure go up. Up! It's going to stop organ damage and the huge, huge complications from sepsis. If you need them, men, you'll get them fast. Before you leave the hospital! Win.