Sepsis is the body’s response to injuries and infections and is also known as blood poisoning. Often, when you get an injury on any part of your body, it results in septic shock. The infections that may lead to sepsis and septic shock include urinary tract infection, influenza, and pneumonia. Sepsis is such a dangerous condition of health that there are chances of death if you are a victim of the situation. However, individuals who survive sepsis usually end up with effects that completely change their lives like post-traumatic stress disorder, organic dysfunction, as well as fatigue and chronic pain. When there is organ dysfunction, often it leads to amputation of the affected organ which can impact negatively on the life of a previously healthy individual.
Any type of infection including fungal, bacterial and viral can lead to sepsis. However, the good news is that many of these infections can be taken care of by just observing the best of hygiene standards. Others can also be prevented through vaccination. Here is how to prevent sepsis.
Vaccinations
There exists a myriad of viral infections such as HIV, chicken pox, and influenza. Viruses often thrive best inside a living organism. Even though each virus is unique regarding how it survives and thrives in the host, they generally don’t survive for a long time outside the body of the host. What happens when you contract a viral infection is that your body produces antibodies which will keep you from contracting the illness again. In essence, they make you immune to the disease in following situations of either a breakout or an encounter with the virus. Over the years, vaccines have been developed for a myriad of the virus including polio, tetanus, and chicken pox. The vaccines work in such a way that it tricks the body into thinking that it has been infected with a virus thereby making the body immune to the virus in the real sense.
Caring for wounds
Bacteria can gain entrance into your body through minor or major scratches, scrape or a cut. Due to this reason, you must ensure that you clean all your wounds in the event of such mishaps. Besides, see to it that you inspect it to see if there are infections that might have gained access to your body.
Here is how to clean open wounds
- Before touching an open wound, always ensure that you wash your hands with clean water and a disinfectant. If possible, opt for a disposable glove before you touch the wound.
- The wound has jagged edges or is deep and cannot be closed so easily, it may prompt you to opt for stitches. Ensure you see your medical service provider as soon as you can to avoid the chances of the wound developing into something more serious.
- If the size of the wound is not one that requires you be stitched, rinse the surrounding of it with clean water. You should not use soapy water to rinse the wound or otherwise it may develop into something else. To ensure that all the dirt is done away with, rub it gently over the wound as there may be debris trapped inside. If you still feel like there are some dirt and debris remaining inside the wound, it should be checked by a health provider who has the right equipment to use for procedures.
- You may also apply some antibiotic cream or ointment
Sepsis is a dangerous condition and should be avoided at all costs. The above steps will be handy in helping you to avoid it.
