Actress Tanya Roberts of "James Bond" and "Charlie's Angels" fame died in January of sepsis that had stemmed from a urinary tract infection (UTI). Questions naturally arose about how typical such outcomes are with this common condition. The answer: not at all common. Show
“When something like this gets into the media, then so many women think, 'Oh my gosh, I have urinary tract infections. What does this mean for me? Will I get septic? And will I die?'” said Dr. Suzette Sutherland, director of female urology of the University of Washington School of Medicine. The vast majority of urinary tract infections do not develop into full-blown sepsis, Sutherland said. But urospesis can happen, especially among older patients or those with compromised immune systems. A UTI is a bacterial or fungal infection along the urinary tract, most commonly in the bladder. The most typical symptom is the frequent urge to pee, as well as the feeling of the bladder not fully emptying. Urination can be painful and urine can be cloudy, tinged with blood or have a strong odor. It is a common infection: About 60% of U.S. women and 10% of men will experience at UTI at some point in their lives. Most infections are mild and treated at home or in an outpatient basis. Antibiotics are typically effective, but it is important to get a urine culture to confirm the infection and to identify the bug and the appropriate treatment. For milder infections and infections caught at an early stage, doctors may recommend fluid intake as a first line of defense. “One of the number one reasons that people get urinary tract infections is they're just not drinking enough fluids and keeping their urinary tract flushed. The general recommendation is 2 liters of fluid a day,” Sutherland said. Let the color of your urine be your guide, she added. If your urine is light yellow, you're good. If it looks like water, you're drinking more than you need. If your urine is a deeper golden color, you're not drinking enough. Keeping your gut healthy is also a way to avoid UTIs, by consuming probiotics or eating foods that encourage healthy gut biomes and, for women, vaginal biomes. Topical estrogen, available in cream, suppository and ring applications, also can help maintain a good balance of vaginal bacteria. “You want to encourage a good bug, called lactobacillus, and vaginal estrogen is helpful in this regard,” Sutherland said. For people with recurrent UTIs, Sutherland recommends cranberry supplements, which prevent the bacteria from clinging to the side of the bladder wall. The active component in the cranberry juice is proanthocyanidins (PAC) but supplements need a potency of at least 30-35 mg of PAC, and it should be the bioactive form made from the juice of the cranberry. People with UTIs experiencing a high fever and/or pain in the upper back should call their provider for an immediate appointment. Upper back pain may indicate a kidney infection, which warrants prompt attention and treatment. In any case, if symptoms emerge, don't hesitate to contact a care provider. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen many instances of delays in seeking medical care,” Sutherland added. – Barbara Clements, 253.740.5043, Downloadable media resources:
OverviewSepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection damages its own tissues. When the infection-fighting processes turn on the body, they cause organs to function poorly and abnormally. Sepsis may progress to septic shock. This is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can lead to severe organ problems and death. Early treatment with antibiotics and intravenous fluids improves chances for survival. SymptomsSigns and symptoms of sepsisTo be diagnosed with sepsis, you must have a probable or confirmed infection and all of the following signs:
Signs and symptoms of septic shockSeptic shock is a severe drop in blood pressure that results in highly abnormal problems with how cells work and produce energy. Progression to septic shock increases the risk of death. Signs of progression to septic shock include:
When to see a doctorMost often, sepsis occurs in people who are hospitalized or who have recently been hospitalized. People in an intensive care unit are more likely to develop infections that can then lead to sepsis. Any infection, however, could lead to sepsis. See your doctor about an infection or wound that hasn't responded to treatment. Signs or symptoms, such as confusion or rapid breathing, require emergency care. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesWhile any type of infection — bacterial, viral or fungal — can lead to sepsis, infections that more commonly result in sepsis include infections of:
Risk factorsSeveral factors increase the risk of sepsis, including:
ComplicationsAs sepsis worsens, blood flow to vital organs, such as your brain, heart and kidneys, becomes impaired. Sepsis may cause abnormal blood clotting that results in small clots or burst blood vessels that damage or destroy tissues. Most people recover from mild sepsis, but the mortality rate for septic shock is about 40%. Also, an episode of severe sepsis places you at higher risk of future infections. Jan. 19, 2021 How do you know if you have sepsis from a kidney infection?A kidney infection can sometimes lead to a dangerous condition called sepsis link, which can be life threatening. Symptoms of sepsis include fever, chills, rapid breathing and heart rate, rash, and confusion. A kidney infection that becomes chronic, or long lasting, can cause permanent damage to your kidneys.
What are the early warning signs of sepsis?The signs and symptoms of sepsis can include a combination of any of the following:. confusion or disorientation,. shortness of breath,. high heart rate,. fever, or shivering, or feeling very cold,. extreme pain or discomfort, and.. clammy or sweaty skin.. Can you go septic with a kidney infection?A risk with kidney stones is a kidney infection, which can lead to sepsis. Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body's life-threatening response to infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.
What happens when a UTI goes septic?Urosepsis is a serious complication of a UTI and should be treated as a medical emergency. Sepsis is the body's extreme reaction to infection. The body attacks its own organs and tissues which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.
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Signs of being septic from kidney infection
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