A Health Alert From Visiting Angels
What might be happening when an older person suddenly shows signs of confusion, disorientation and/or anxiety? What about if they seem lethargic and out of touch with what is happening around them? Other symptoms may include fever, chills, low body temperature, low blood pressure, rapid pulse, decreased urination, nausea and vomiting.
If these symptoms show up suddenly it is a good idea to consider sepsis. Commonly, when older people get a urinary tract infection and, it is left untreated, it can develop into sepsis which can mimic cognitively impaired conditions.If these symptoms present suddenly it is a good idea to consider sepsis. Commonly, when older people get a urinary tract infection and, it is left untreated, it can develop into sepsis which can mimic cognitively impaired conditions. Sepsis can be a life threatening condition. It occurs when the body responds to an infection by causing wide spread inflammation which injures tissues and organs. Some call this condition "blood poisoning".
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Sepsis can come from something as minor as a scrape or cut to a urinary infection, the flu or pneumonia . This is a challenging situation for the elderly. As with other hospital encounters, it is important that the ill person have an advocate. There has been a dramatic rise in the number of sepsis cases over the course of the last decade. This is caused, in part, to resistance to certain antibiotics. Because sepsis can be fatal, severe cases require hospitalization and intensive antibiotic treatment.
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There is no diagnostic test for sepsis. We know that dementia does not occur suddenly. Cognitive decline generally occurs slowly over a period of time. An important question to ask the doctor, if your loved one exhibits some or all of the symptoms listed above, may be: "Could this be sepsis?" It's important to let the doctor know if the behaviors that are being demonstrated are out of character.
There are 3 things that can be done to lessen the chance of sepsis. They are:
- Keep yourself well hydrated.
- Keep immunizations up to date. Pneumonia and influenza can lead to sepsis and are entirely preventable.
- Wash your hands very well. Make sure any hospital personnel who come into your room wash their hands.
- Don't take antibiotics unnecessarily. This causes drug resistant bacteria.*
*Snyderman, Nancy L, "Fighting a Killer Infection," August/September The AARP Magazine, 2013, Page 26
Julie Elseroad
Sr. Gerontology Specialist
Visiting Angels
(301) 355-6578
