Chicago Sepsis Attorney

What are the Stages of Sepsis?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sepsis infections are the body’s response to bacterial or viral infections. These quickly become life-threatening emergencies that progress through three stages of sepsis.

The first stage is SIRS: Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome involves the initial infection causing widespread inflammation.

The second stage occurs when sepsis cases grow until it starts affecting vital organs.

The third stage is called septic shock, a medical emergency where internal organ failure starts to occur.

Sepsis is the single largest cause of preventable deaths in the world, taking more lives than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and drug overdoses all combined.

SIRS vs Sepsis

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis both involve the body’s reaction to infection, but they are not the same. SIRS is a broad inflammatory state triggered by various conditions, including trauma, burns, pancreatitis, or infections. It is diagnosed when a patient meets at least two of the following criteria: abnormal body temperature, increased heart rate, rapid respiratory rate, or abnormal white blood cell count.

While SIRS can occur without infection, sepsis specifically refers to SIRS caused by an infection, leading to organ dysfunction if left untreated. This progresses further, potentially resulting in septic shock, where low blood pressure persists despite treatment, causing organ failure and increasing the risk of death.

Sepsis vs Septic Shock

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection causes widespread inflammation, causing widespread damage to internal organs and tissue damage. If left untreated, sepsis can escalate to severe sepsis, where vital organs begin to fail due to reduced blood flow.

Septic shock is the most critical stage of sepsis cases, characterized by dangerously low blood pressure. This can lead to complete organ failure, even death, and requires immediate treatment. Most sepsis cases arise when healthcare providers fail to recognize the early symptoms of sepsis or delay medical emergency intervention. If you or a loved one suffered from septic shock due to medical negligence, a Chicago sepsis lawyer at our law firm can help pursue a sepsis malpractice claim for financial compensation.

Common Causes of Sepsis and Septic Shock in Chicago

Severe sepsis and septic shock can be life-threatening when healthcare providers fail to recognize early symptoms and provide timely medical care. Sepsis occurs when the patient’s response damages organs, often due to gross negligence. Patients who suffer due to misdiagnosis or delayed care may have grounds for medical malpractice cases. Our medical malpractice lawyers can help victims and their families file a claim for sepsis malpractice in Chicago.