Best Sepsis Doctors in Delhi

Sepsis is a severe and potentially life-threatening medical condition, brought on by an extreme response of the body to infection. If left untreated, sepsis can result in multiple organ failure and even death. Sepsis can be caused by various infections, including bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic. Certain groups of people are at an increased risk of developing sepsis, such as older individuals, infants, pregnant women, and patients in intensive care units. Other risk factors include a compromised immune system due to HIV and cancer, substance abuse, chronic medical conditions like diabetes and kidney disease, recent infections, and increased use of antibiotics or steroids.

Delhi, the capital city of India, has a dense population and varying climate changes that are favourable for microbial growth. Thus, the city's residents are exposed to numerous infectious agents that could potentially lead to sepsis. However, Apollo Hospitals in Delhi is renowned for housing some of the best doctors for sepsis. By combining the state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities at Apollo Hospitals, septic shock specialists can accurately identify sepsis and initiate prompt treatment to improve patient outcomes.

Types/Stages of Sepsis

Sepsis can progress through three main stages:

• Sepsis: This is the first phase, characterised by symptoms such as a high fever or low temperature and an elevated heart rate.

• Severe Sepsis: During this stage, sepsis worsens or does not respond to initial treatment. This stage is characterised by organ dysfunction, which can lead to symptoms such as reduced urine output, altered mental state, and abnormal heart function.

• Septic Shock: This is the most critical phase of sepsis, where patients experience dangerously low blood pressure and elevated serum lactate levels despite medical intervention. This stage is associated with severe complications like organ failure, respiratory failure, and even immediate death.

Symptoms of Sepsis

Recognising the symptoms of sepsis can enhance prompt consultation with a sepsis specialist at Apollo Hospitals, Delhi. The key symptoms include:

• Changes in mental status, such as confusion or disorientation

• Rapid, shallow breathing or difficulty in breathing

• Fever or shivering

• Rapid heart rate

• Feeling lightheaded or faint

Tests to Diagnose Sepsis

The doctors for severe sepsis at Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, use the following tests for diagnosing sepsis:

• Physical Assessment: Doctors look for physical signs like fever, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, and difficulty in breathing.

• Blood Tests: Blood tests, including complete blood count, lactate levels, C-reactive protein levels, and blood culture tests, are used to identify the infection-causing germs.

• Confirmatory/Diagnostic Tests: Tests like endotoxin testing and procalcitonin (PCT) levels can provide more information to confirm sepsis.

• Urine Tests: Urinalysis and urine culture tests may be conducted to check for urinary tract infections or kidney problems which may be associated with sepsis.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Sepsis at Apollo Hospitals, Delhi

At Apollo Hospitals in Delhi, the treatment approach to sepsis involves a combination of prompt, aggressive interventions including:

• Antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are administered intravenously to combat infection.

• Intravenous Fluids: These are given to prevent dehydration and organ failure, especially in cases of septic shock.

• Oxygen Support: Oxygen therapy is provided if oxygen levels in the blood are low

• Vasopressors: These medications are administered to increase low blood pressure caused by sepsis and septic shock

• Source Control: The source of the infection, such as an abscess or infected wound, might need to be drained or surgically removed to control the infection.