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Diabetes & Increased Risk of Sepsis

Every 15 minutes, someone in the United States dies from sepsis, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetics and other people with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to sepsis infections.

  1. Identification

    • Sepsis is an infection caused by bacteria. When you contract a sepsis infection, the tissues throughout your body become inflamed, resulting in a number of medical complications.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of sepsis include high fever or very low body temperature, rapid heart and respiratory rate, mottled skin, lack of urination, difficulty breathing, and abnormal heart function.

    Why Diabetics?

    • Diabetics are more susceptible to infections due to a deficiency in white blood cells. Due to this deficiency, a diabetic is unable to fight off sepsis when it enters the body through the skin, eyes or mouth.

    Features

    • Although still at risk for other complications, diabetics are less likely to develop respiratory failure from sepsis infections than other patients, but the exact reason for this is unknown.

    Treatment

    • In addition to insulin to keep blood sugar levels at bay throughout the infection, doctors commonly prescribe intravenous antibiotic medications to treat sepsis. At times, corticosteroids are also necessary to reduce inflammation.

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