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Transmission-Based Precautions are the second tier of basic infection control and are to be used in addition to Standard Precautions for patients who may be infected or colonized with certain infectious agents for which additional precautions are needed to prevent infection transmission. Use Contact Precautions for patients with known or suspected infections that represent an increased risk for contact transmission.
Use Droplet Precautions for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by respiratory droplets that are generated by a patient who is coughing, sneezing, or talking.
Use Airborne Precautions for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by the airborne route (e.g., tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox, disseminated herpes zoster).
Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection, including COVID-19, can lead to sepsis. In a typical year:
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
What causes sepsis?Infections can put you or your loved one at risk for sepsis. When germs get into a person’s body, they can cause an infection. If you don’t stop that infection, it can cause sepsis. Bacterial infections cause most cases of sepsis. Sepsis can also be a result of other infections, including viral infections, such as COVID-19 or influenza. Who is at risk?Some people are at higher risk for sepsis: Adults 65 or older People with weakened immune systems People with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease People with recent severe illness or hospitalization Sepsis survivors Children younger than one
What are the signs & symptoms?A patient with sepsis might have one or more of the following signs or symptoms: High heart rate or low blood pressure Confusion or disorientation Extreme pain or discomfort Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold Shortness of breath Clammy or sweaty skin A medical assessment by a healthcare professional is needed to confirm sepsis. What should I do if I suspect sepsis?Sepsis is a medical emergency. If you or your loved one has an infection that’s not getting better or is getting worse, ACT FAST. Get medical care IMMEDIATELY either in-person, or at minimum, through telehealth services. Ask your healthcare professional, “Could this infection be leading to sepsis?” and if you should go to the emergency room for medical assessment. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. If you have or think you have sepsis, tell the operator. If you have or think you have COVID-19, tell the operator this as well. If possible, put on a mask before medical help arrives. Fast recognition and treatment can increase your chances of survival. |