Septicemia / Sepsis - Causes and Risk Factors
Causes and Risk Factors
People with decreased immunity are at a particular risk for developing sepsis.Septicemia or sepsis is caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. The infection is usually located in a particular tissue or organ and then spreads to the blood. The infection may also enter the body during an intravenous injection or a surgical procedure. People with decrease in immunity are unable to fight against the invading organisms and are particularly susceptible to sepsis. People at increased risk to develop sepsis include:
- People suffering from conditions like AIDS and diabetes, liver disease and kidney failure
- Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
- Patients who have undergone organ transplantation and are receiving drugs to suppress immunity
- Very small babies in whom the immune system has not completely developed
- Elderly population
- People who have undergone surgery to remove the spleen. The spleen plays a role in producing immune cells; hence absence of the spleen can result in decreased immunity.
- Patients taking high doses of corticosteroids.
- Patients with infections like meningitis and cellulitis
- After major surgery, trauma and burns
References:
- Harrison�s Principles of Internal Medicine 17th edition.
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Dr. Simi Paknikar. (2019, September 18). Septicemia / Sepsis - Causes and Risk Factors. Medindia. Retrieved on Nov 15, 2024 from https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/septicemia-causes-and-risk-factors.htm.
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Dr. Simi Paknikar. "Septicemia / Sepsis - Causes and Risk Factors". Medindia. Nov 15, 2024. <https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/septicemia-causes-and-risk-factors.htm>.
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Dr. Simi Paknikar. "Septicemia / Sepsis - Causes and Risk Factors". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/septicemia-causes-and-risk-factors.htm. (accessed Nov 15, 2024).
Harvard
Dr. Simi Paknikar. 2019. Septicemia / Sepsis - Causes and Risk Factors. Medindia, viewed Nov 15, 2024, https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/septicemia-causes-and-risk-factors.htm.