How Is Sepsis Treated?

What Is the Usual Sepsis Treatment?

Fast, aggressive treatment boosts the chances of surviving sepsis. People who have sepsis require close monitoring and treatment in a hospital intensive care unit. If you have sepsis or septic shock, lifesaving measures may be needed to stabilize breathing, blood pressure, and heart function.

Sepsis treatment guidelines follow a multi-pronged approach:

• Initial sepsis treatment begins with a blood draw, cultures and imaging (if needed) to confirm a Sepsis diagnosis
• If Sepsis is present, then intravenous antibiotics and fluids are administered
• Fever reducing and / or pain medications may be administered for symptomatic relief
• Other supportive medications can also include vasoconstrictors, blood pressure supports, and steroids.
• Depending on progress, further imaging and blood work may be necessary to rule out any other concerns
• Surgery may be necessary depending on the site of the infection
• If further complications and and/or septic shock develop, treatment may be required in the intensive care unit by a team of highly skilled and specialized doctors and nurses
• Depending on progress, additional support for breathing (ventilators) or kidneys (dialysis) may be required