What can severe infection cause?
Feb 25, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, severe infection may lead to problems such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, hemodynamic instability, impaired brain function, and organ failure. Severe infection can trigger acute respiratory distress syndrome, a serious pulmonary complication. This condition causes the alveoli to fill with fluid, preventing the lungs from effectively oxygenating the blood, resulting in difficulty breathing and hypoxemia.
Under normal circumstances, severe infections may lead to problems such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, hemodynamic instability, impaired brain function, and organ failure. The details are as follows:
1. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Severe infection may trigger acute respiratory distress syndrome, a serious pulmonary complication. It causes fluid accumulation in the alveoli, impairing the lungs' ability to oxygenate blood effectively, resulting in breathing difficulties and hypoxemia.
2. Sepsis
Severe infections often lead to sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response. Sepsis can cause symptoms including elevated body temperature, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, decreased blood pressure, and organ failure.
3. Hemodynamic Instability
Severe infection can affect the circulatory system, leading to low blood pressure, reduced cardiac output, and inadequate tissue perfusion. This may result in shock, significantly impairing the function of various organs.
4. Impaired Brain Function
Severe infections may affect the central nervous system, causing loss of consciousness, cognitive impairment, delirium, or other neurological issues. These complications may arise due to brain inflammation, insufficient oxygen supply, or related factors.
5. Organ Failure
Severe infection may lead to multiple organ dysfunction or failure. The inflammatory response and tissue damage caused by infection can harm vital organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and others, resulting in impaired organ function or complete organ failure.
In summary, if patients experience any discomfort or symptoms, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention at a hospital to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment, thus preventing adverse outcomes.
