6 Sepsis Long-Term Effects You May Not Know About

Every year, more than 1.7 million people in the United States are diagnosed with sepsis. Over a quarter of a million die. Many more are left with life-changing after effects, part of post-sepsis syndrome. Learn about six of the more common issues that affect many sepsis survivors.

1- Physical Decline -- No matter how old survivors are, from young children to seniors, many find that they are unable to return to the way they were before they were sick. The complaints include being too fatigued, feeling chronic pain, being short of breath, or experiencing muscle weakness, to name a few.

2- Cognitive Decline -- Whether you call it fuzzy thinking, bad memory, or confusion, cognitive or mental decline is not unusual after experiencing a serious illness like sepsis. Some survivors find it harder to work, run a household, or perform many of the mental tasks that used to come easily to them. As many as 35% of children who survive sepsis have not returned to their previous quality of life one year after their illness. People who are already affected cognitively, such as those with dementia , can decline further.

3- Organ Dysfunction -- People who survive severe sepsis or septic shock can have lasting organ damage. The organs most often affected by sepsis are the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. For many people, this damage heals but for some, it is permanent. Symptoms are related to the affected organ. For example, if it’s the kidneys that were injured, survivors may need dialysis to filter toxins from the blood – the kidneys’ main role. Some may need a transplant . Sepsis survivors with organ dysfunction should be followed by their healthcare team so they can be monitored and treated accordingly.

4- Amputations -- Sepsis survivors may have to undergo amputations of one or more limbs, fingers, toes, or sometimes even the tip of the nose or the ears. Sepsis can cause tiny blood clots to form in the blood vessels. These prevent blood from delivering oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, which can then die and cause gangrene. If amputations are necessary, surgeons remove as little tissue as they can. However, sometimes surgeons must reoperate, removing more of the limb.

5- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -- Any kind of trauma, including a surviving a serious illness like sepsis or septic shock, can cause PTSD . It is even more common for people who were treated in an intensive care unit (ICU). PTSD can be very disruptive. It can cause anxiety, depression, insomnia, and more. If you believe you have PTSD following sepsis, there are therapists and psychologists who can help you. PTSD can often be successfully managed with counselling, self-care, and medications, if needed.

6- Repeat Infections -- Sepsis survivors are at higher risk of becoming ill again, usually because their immune system is weaker for the first few weeks and months after their illness. About one-third of all survivors and more than 40% of older survivors must be readmitted to the hospital within three months of their initial sepsis hospitalization. The most common cause is a repeat of sepsis or a new infection.

Learn more about the different conditions that can increase your risk of getting sepsis in the Sepsis and… library.