Any type of infection can cause sepsis, from the flu to an infected bug bite, but the most common infections that trigger sepsis among older people are respiratory, such as pneumonia, or genitourinary, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Risk factors
People with lower immune response, such as those being treated for cancer or people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Admission to intensive care unit or longer hospital stays.
Older adults are at an increased risk of contracting infectious pathogens due to their declining immune system, in addition to other age-related changes throughout all body systems1.
The most common infectious source of sepsis among patients in whom sepsis was the immediate cause of death was pneumonia (100 of 198 [50.5%]), followed by intra-abdominal infections (38 of 198 [19.2%]) and endovascular infections (25 of 198 [12.6%]).
Bacterial infections are one of the most common causes of sepsis. Fungal, parasitic and viral infections are also potential sepsis causes. You can get sepsis when an infection triggers a chain reaction throughout your body causing organ dysfunction.
Respiratory infections, bloodstream infections, and genitourinary infections are the most common underlying causes of sepsis in the elderly.
This can cause vital organs to shut down. This usually starts with the kidneys. Blood pressure can drop dangerously low. This can cause less oxygen and nutrients to reach your kidneys.
The incidence of sepsis increases with age, causing a sharp incidence in people older than 80 years, and is associated with extremely high mortality rates [8, 9].
Sepsis can develop quickly from initial infection and progress to septic shock in as little as 12 to 24 hours.1 You may have an infection that's not improving or you could even be sick without realizing it.
In some cases, and often very quickly, severe sepsis or septic shock can develop. Symptoms include: feeling dizzy or faint. confusion or disorientation.
When treatment or medical intervention is missing, sepsis is a leading cause of death, more significant than breast cancer, lung cancer, or heart attack. Research shows that the condition can kill an affected person in as little as 12 hours.
Sepsis occurs unpredictably and can progress rapidly. In severe cases, one or more organ systems fail. In the worst cases, blood pressure drops, the heart weakens, and the patient spirals toward septic shock. Once this happens, multiple organs—lungs, kidneys, liver—may quickly fail, and the patient can die.
A person with sepsis might have one or more of the following signs or symptoms: High heart rate or weak pulse. Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold. Confusion or disorientation.
With only mild sepsis, a full recovery is the most common outcome. But for septic shock, the mortality rate is estimated to range between 25-40% – and closer to the higher end of that figure for the elderly. As sepsis becomes worse, complications of sepsis in elderly patients will start to emerge.
Hospice care for patients with sepsis is designed to provide comfort and support during the dying process. Hospice professionals are trained to provide compassionate end-of-life care, ensuring that patients are as comfortable and pain-free as possible during their final days.
Sepsis (septicaemia in British English), or blood poisoning, is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs.
Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Sepsis and septic shock can result from an infection anywhere in the body, such as pneumonia, influenza, or urinary tract infections.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
An adult or older child has any of these symptoms of sepsis: acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense. blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.