Patient's question:
A while ago, I just caught a cold, mainly because the weather was too cold in winter. I kept coughing, sneezing, and had a slight fever. Later, as the temperature got higher and I felt weak all over, I found out it was sepsis. How did this happen?Doctor's answer:
Sepsis refers to a systemic infection caused by pathogens and toxins released into the bloodstream. The pathogens are typically bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, but they can also be fungi. Blood culture can identify the pathogenic bacteria. Generally, people with weakened resistance and impaired immune function are more susceptible to infection. The main clinical manifestations include: patients may have low-grade fever up to 40°C, chills, palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and poor mental state. Severe cases can lead to septic shock and multiple organ failure.