The goal of treatment is to eliminate the underlying infection and avoid organ damage and a progression to septic shock. Sepsis generally is treated in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU) with intravenous antibiotics directed at the infective organism and intravenous fluids to restore fluid and electrolyte balance and to maintain the volume of blood for proper circulation. Mechanical respiration may be required to provide adequate oxygen supply to the tissues.
If the source of sepsis is an abscess or dead (necrotic) tissue, surgery is required to drain the abscess (incision and drainage) or to remove the dead tissue (débridement). Less commonly, sepsis is caused by a fungal infection and can be treated with antifungal drugs. Because immunosuppressant drugs inhibit the body's defense against infection, these drugs are discontinued whenever possible and resumed only when there is complete recovery from the infection.
Blood, urine, and other fluid cultures will be repeated regularly to monitor for continuing infection. Heart function and blood oxygen levels may be monitored. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor