Lucknow: Misuse of antibiotics is fatal for the future. According to a recent study, more than half of the ICU patients in India suffer from sepsis, such cases have increased rapidly in the last decade. In a study, more than 56 percent of the 677 patients taken from 35 ICUs across the country were found to have sepsis. And what was more worrying was that in 45 percent of the cases, the infection was caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. Improper or delayed use of antibiotics can increase infection, especially when the bacteria are resistant to treatment, increasing the risk of sepsis.
This information was given in a press conference organized by the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Depart professionals of KGMU. Professor (Dr) Ved Prakash, Head of Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, KGMU, Professor (Dr) Rajendra Prasad, former Director of VP Chest Institute, New Delhi, Professor (Dr) Apul Goyal, Head of Department of Urology, KGMU, Professor (Dr) Avinash Agarwal, Head of Critical Care Medicine, Professor (Dr) RAS Kushwaha of Respiratory Medicine were present in the press conference.
It was told in the press conference that this conference has been designed to raise awareness for the implementation of best practices in sepsis management among a wide range of health care professionals including doctors, nurses and other key providers.
Dr Ved Prakash said that according to the latest estimates, about 5 crore people in the world suffer from sepsis every year, in which about 1 crore 10 lakh patients die. In India, about 1 crore 10 lakh people suffer from sepsis every year, in which about 30 lakh people die. The mortality rate from sepsis in India is approximately 213 per 100,000 people, which is much higher than the global average rate.
Sepsis can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Its incidence is increasing, with a sharp increase seen in the last few decades. Sepsis can be prevented by vaccination and good care, and early detection and treatment can reduce sepsis mortality by 50 percent.
He said that sepsis is mainly caused by pneumonia (lung infection), urinary tract infection or infection at the operation site. Patients with diabetes, cancer and those taking immunity-suppressing drugs such as steroids are most affected by sepsis. The most common cause of sepsis is bacterial infection, which can arise from various sources, including viral infection, fungal infection, parasitic infection, hospital-acquired infection, community-acquired infection, drug abuse.
Additionally, people with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, transplant recipients, and individuals with HIV/AIDS, are at higher risk of infection. In the most severe cases, sepsis can progress to septic shock, with symptoms of extremely low blood pressure, altered consciousness, and multiple organ failure. Septic shock is a life-threatening emergency.
Symptoms of Sepsis
Sepsis is a medical emergency that can develop rapidly. Early recognition of its signs and symptoms is important for prompt treatment. Symptoms include 1. Fever or hypothermia 2. Increased heart rate 3. Rapid breathing and shortness of breath 4. Confusion or altered mental status 5. Low blood pressure 6. Difficulty breathing.
