Exact Answer: Between one month and two years (Approximately)
There are many cases in which people died of sepsis. Sepsis is an immune system’s reaction to an infection. Whenever a person develops an infection, the body increases the production of white blood cells in the body. The work of these white blood cells is to fight bacterial infection and germs developing in the body.
The immune system also fights the infection. If the foreign body enters the bloodstream, it starts reproducing itself very fast. The entered germ releases poisonous substances which toxicate the blood vessels and also the immune system.
When the infection lasts long and does not go off even after medication, this can be a severe health problem like sepsis. In such a situation, the person needs to seek the doctor’s advice as soon as possible. Any infection can lead to sepsis as the body’s extreme response to any contamination is sepsis.
How Long Does It Take To Die From Sepsis?
A person suffering from sepsis can die within a month or even can take a year. It depends on many factors such as the patient’s pre-health conditions, the stage of the sepsis the person is suffering from, etc.
Sepsis has three stages that are Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3. Stage 1 is the starting and the confirmation of the infection in the body. However, it is always better to know sooner because it increases the chances of both recovery and survival. The faster the treatment starts, the better it is for the patient. Some of the symptoms of Stage 1 sepsis are rapid breathing, fever, and rapid heart rate.
Stage 2 of sepsis, also known as the severe stage, is reached when an organ fails. Sepsis progresses rapidly and, after attaining a certain point, it is just a matter of hours. Stage 2 is a severe health condition. Some of the symptoms of second-stage sepsis are a decrease in urination, change in mental status, discolored skin, extreme weakness, chills, unconsciousness, breathing issues, and low platelets.
Stage 3 is septic shock. It has the symptoms same as that of the second-stage only here is an extreme drop in the blood pressure. Other health issues that can happen due to septic shock are the formation of small blood clots throughout the body, blood flow blockage, and insufficient oxygen flow to vital organs.
Severe breathlessness and sleepiness are some of the red flags for sepsis. It was once known as blood poisoning. Sepsis demands early diagnosis even though 1 in 5 people suffering from sepsis die after fast treatment. People die of sepsis because it gradually makes the immune system weaker and leads to organ failure. With proper treatment, it is possible to overcome sepsis at different stages.
| Different Stages | Duration for Recovery |
| Stage 1 | about tens days with appropriate treatment |
| Stage 2 | around one month |
| Stage 3 | approximately one year |
| Post Sepsis recovery | about one to two years |
Why Does It Take So Long To Die From Sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening health condition. Many people die within a month or in a year or two due to sepsis. However, it is possible to recover completely. People are not able to recognize sepsis at the early stages, which deteriorates the condition. Patients with low immunity die within a month if not effectively diagnosed. However, patients with better health conditions and stronger immunity could fight with it for an extended period.
Stage 1 and 2 have more chances of survival wherein, at Stage 3, it reduces to only 50 percent. The most common cause of death among people with severe sepsis are solid cancer, heart diseases, dementia, and chronic lung problems. The extreme drop in blood pressure results in the improper working of various organs such as the kidney, lungs, liver, and central nervous system.
Sepsis is a noncontagious disease. It makes a person suffer from a lot of health problems. Most people recovering from sepsis have long-term effects. Sepsis makes a person disoriented and confused and can lead to acute brain dysfunction. This confusion can last for about three to five months, even after discharge from the hospital.
Conclusion
Sepsis is not always deadly. The recovery is possible with faster and effective treatments. After treatment, it is necessary to provide rehabilitation facilities. It requires a lot of care and attention after recovery from sepsis. At hospitals, patients are under physiotherapists. Patients had to perform daily tasks in their recovery period. The daily work includes everyday activities such as bathing, walking, dressing up, and physical exercises.
Patients have to perform these activities to regain strength, avoid weakness and attain mental ability. During the recovery period, proper rest and a balanced diet are of utmost importance. For good health, a person must take all the vaccines, including pneumonia. A balanced diet and physical exercises are essential for a healthy body.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002934307005566
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJM199703273361311
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