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Surgeons emphasize the urgent need for prompt and proper treatment of infections to prevent sepsis, a life-threatening condition. They warn that untreated infections can trigger the body’s immune system to overreact, leading to severe tissue damage and septic shock.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that sepsis is a leading cause of death worldwide, with approximately 20 million cases in children under five each year. In 2020, there were 48.9 million sepsis cases and 11 million related deaths globally. Sepsis occurs more frequently in lower-middle-income countries and poses a higher risk to pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Prof. Paingha Alagoa, a general surgery professor at Bayelsa Medical University, explained that sepsis results from the body’s extreme inflammatory response to an infection, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. “Sepsis is a serious condition where the body’s protective mechanisms cause tissue inflammation and damage,” he said. Symptoms include abnormal body temperature, increased heart and respiratory rates, and elevated white blood cell counts.
Alagoa noted that sepsis is more common in infants, neonates, and the elderly due to their weaker immune systems. Malnutrition also increases the risk because it lowers immunity, making infections harder to control. He emphasized that infections, especially when combined with immune suppression conditions like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, are significant risk factors.
He also highlighted that invasive medical procedures, such as intravenous and urethral catheterization, can lead to sepsis. “Noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, kidney, and liver diseases, as well as severe trauma like burns, which remove the protective skin barrier, also increase the risk of sepsis,” Alagoa added.
Contrary to some beliefs, sepsis is not only linked to post-surgical infections. Immune suppression, malnutrition, and unsafe abortions can also trigger the condition. Alagoa advised those on chronic steroid treatments to manage infections closely and stressed the importance of promptly treating infections and adhering to prescribed antibiotics after surgical procedures. He urged people with conditions like HIV to stick to their medication and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition.
Prof. Mobolaji Oludara, a general surgery professor at Lagos State University, explained that sepsis is the body’s inflammatory response to a severe infection and not a disease itself. “Sepsis arises from severe infections that trigger a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), leading to septic shock and damage to multiple organs, including the kidneys, lungs, and liver,” he said.
Oludara clarified that any severe infection, not just surgical wounds, could lead to sepsis. Infections in areas like the middle ear, sinuses, chest (pneumonia), abdomen (appendicitis, diverticulitis), gallbladder, pancreas, and urinary tract can all progress to sepsis if not adequately treated. He pointed out that unsafe abortions and post-delivery infections also pose significant risks.
He lamented that many Nigerians delay seeking medical help until infections become severe. “People with compromised immune systems due to chronic diseases or immunosuppressive drugs can develop sepsis-like conditions even without an initial infection,” Oludara noted.
Sepsis can affect anyone but is more common in older adults due to reduced immunity and chronic conditions like diabetes. Unsafe abortions also significantly increase the risk of sepsis.
Oludara stressed the importance of preventing infections from escalating to sepsis through prophylactic antibiotics and good surgical practices. “Sepsis can lead to septic shock, characterized by low blood pressure, fever, fast heart rate, poor organ perfusion, and organ failure,” he explained.
He identified bacterial infections as the primary cause of sepsis, though viruses, fungi, and parasites can also contribute. Oludara advised treating infections promptly with the help of certified healthcare professionals. “Delayed or improper diagnosis and inappropriate drugs allow infections to worsen, increasing the risk of sepsis,” he warned.
In summary, proper and timely treatment of infections is crucial to prevent sepsis, a potentially fatal condition. Surgeons urge everyone to seek medical care early and follow prescribed treatments to avoid severe complications.