Sepsis: 4 things for cancer patients to know

Sepsis is a serious condition that occurs when your body's immune system damages its own tissues and organs while trying to fight a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. This can lead to shock, organ failure and even death.

A cancer diagnosis and certain treatments, like chemotherapy, can weaken the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight infections. This puts cancer patients at increased risk for sepsis.

The good news: there are signs of infection you can watch for and steps you can take to prevent sepsis.  Here are four things for cancer patients and caregivers to know about sepsis.

Know these signs and symptoms of sepsis

Sepsis can appear in different ways, and not everyone will have the same symptoms. Many people think sepsis only happens in hospitals, but you can get a sepsis infection even if you’re not in a hospital.

In the past, doctors classified sepsis into three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. Today, they have simplified this classification to sepsis or septic shock. Septic shock is the most severe form of sepsis that can lead to dangerously low blood pressure and serious organ failure.

Common signs and symptoms of sepsis include:

• fever
• increased heart rate, greater than 90 beats per minute
• increased respiratory rate, greater than 30 breaths per minute
• chills
• reduced mental alertness, sometimes with confusion
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• high or low white blood cell count
• low blood pressure
• altered kidney or liver function

It's important to let your care team know if you have any of these symptoms. While fever is usually one of the most obvious signs of an infection, some cancer patients may not have a fever.

Don't be afraid to tell your doctor, “I think I have sepsis,” or “I’m experiencing these symptoms. Do I have sepsis?” Asking questions and sharing your concerns can help your care team diagnose and treat sepsis quickly.

How sepsis is treated 

Sepsis begins as an infection in one part of the body. If the infection isn't controlled, it can spread and cause organs to stop working properly. This can happen quickly, especially if your immune system is weak. In this situation, minutes matter.

This medical emergency is managed in a few ways. First, your doctor will give you antibiotics to fight bacterial infection. Sepsis often causes low blood pressure, so fluids are given to maintain blood pressure levels.

Your doctor will then identify where the infection started. Controlling the source of the infection can stop the problem from getting worse. For example, if it is coming from a catheter or surgical site, your doctor will treat that specific area.

Sepsis can cause the kidneys, lungs and/or heart to stop working properly. If this happens, you might need extra care in the intensive care unit (ICU). In the ICU, you might need a ventilator for breathing or dialysis for kidney failure.

About one-third of sepsis patients are readmitted to the hospital within three months, often because of another infection or sepsis episode. So, before going home from the hospital, make sure you talk to your doctor about how to monitor for infections at home and when you should call for help with your symptoms.

Sepsis can have long-term physical and mental effects

More people are recovering from sepsis, thanks to advances made in identification, screening and treatment over the past decade. However, some sepsis survivors experience long-term physical and psychological effects, known as post-sepsis syndrome. 

Post-sepsis syndrome symptoms may include:

• insomnia
• nightmares and panic attacks
• muscle and joint pain
• extreme fatigue
• poor concentration
• decreased mental function
• loss of self-esteem

These symptoms can last for months or even longer, depending on how severe the sepsis was and how long you received treatment.

It's important to have follow-up care with your primary health care team to monitor and manage any lingering symptoms. This will help you and your caregiver navigate your recovery after sepsis.

How to prevent sepsis 

Preventing sepsis starts with preventing infections. Take these steps to prevent infections:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Stay away from people who are sick.
• See a doctor and start treatment right away if you get an infection.
• Stay up to date on your vaccinations.
• Keep any cuts or wounds clean and covered until they heal.

Following these steps can help you avoid infections, lower your risk of sepsis and improve your overall health. Reach out to your doctor if you have questions about sepsis symptoms or prevention.

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.