Sepsis can turn a common infection into a medical emergency

• Enmanuel Antonio Núñez, infectious disease specialist at Médico Express, explains that there is no exact moment when an infection becomes sepsis: the warning signs are symptoms that worsen quickly, difficulty breathing, confusion and excessive drowsiness.

Santo Domingo. – A fever that will not break, difficulty breathing, confusion, excessive drowsiness or a rapid decline in general condition can all look like symptoms of a common infection. However, when the body responds in an uncontrolled way to an infection, sepsis can develop: a condition that can compromise the functioning of vital organs and put life at risk.

According to Enmanuel Antonio Núñez, infectious disease specialist at Médico Express, there is no specific moment at which an infection turns into sepsis, since how it develops depends on each person’s body. Even so, an infection whose symptoms worsen quickly or will not go away should raise the alarm, especially when there are significant changes in general condition.

Signs that may point to a serious turn include persistent malaise, difficulty breathing, confusion, excessive drowsiness, cloudy urine and a rapid decline in general condition. These symptoms do not necessarily mean a person has sepsis, but they can indicate that the infection is taking an unfavourable course and needs medical assessment.

Although anyone can develop sepsis, some groups face a higher risk of complications, among them people with weakened immune systems or certain chronic conditions. “Patients with poorly controlled diabetes, the very young and the very old, those with multiple illnesses, people receiving chemotherapy or certain biological treatments, and patients with HIV at the AIDS stage are at greater risk,” says Núñez.

Because sepsis can advance so quickly, time is decisive. “The earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the greater the chances of recovery and the lower the risk of complications and death,” the specialist says. Delaying care can allow the infection to progress and affect the functioning of vital organs, causing permanent damage and even death in the most serious cases.

Avoiding self-medication also matters when facing an infection. Incorrect doses or unsuitable drugs can encourage microorganisms to become resistant and make later treatment harder. That is why, faced with a rapid decline in general condition, difficulty breathing, confusion or other warning signs, seeking medical attention immediately is essential.

About Médico Express

Médico Express is a leading outpatient health centre in Santo Domingo Este. Its model of care brings together more than 40 medical specialities, cutting-edge technology, advanced diagnostic services, outpatient surgery, emergency care and telemedicine. Among the institution’s main achievements is its international Patient Experience certification from Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA), which made it the first medical centre in Central America and the Caribbean to earn it. It also holds Fitwel certification, which recognises its facilities as spaces designed to promote wellbeing.