Status: 19.12.2023, 12:42 p.m.
By: Michel Guddat
CommentsPrint Share
Every seven minutes, a person dies of blood poisoning in Germany. But how does this disease develop and how can prevention be taken?
Munich – A few weeks after the death of his brother Elmar, actor Fritz Wepper is in a Munich clinic. The 82-year-old has contracted blood poisoning. This was confirmed by his lawyer Norman Synek to the dpa news agency. According to Bild, Wepper had already been hospitalized two weeks ago. Now his lawyer says Wepper is "already on the road to recovery." However, sepsis is not to be trifled with.
75,000 people a year. This is a huge figure, making the disease the third most common cause of death in Germany after cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The causes of blood poisoning provide an answer to the question of why so many people are affected.
This is because sepsis can be caused by a simple wound, such as an infected mosquito bite or an inflamed wound. However, it can also, which is more common, caused by an infection inside the body. According to the AOK health magazine, common illnesses can be pneumonia, infections in the abdomen or urinary tract infections.
Infants and older people aged 60 and over are at increased risk
The frightening thing about the disease is that it can affect anyone. Infants under one year of age and older people aged 60 and over have an increased risk. Other risk factors include: cancer, diabetes, a missing spleen, a chronic disease of an organ or a weakened immune system.
Fritz Wepper is in hospital with blood poisoning: The actor is said to be on the road to recovery. © Frank Hoermann/Sven Simon/Imago
Overreacting of the immune system can lead to life-threatening septic shock
How do the pathogens manage to overcome our body's own defenses? Normally, our body manages to keep infections at bay locally. However, if the pathogens spread through the lymphatic and blood vessel system in the body and flood it, so to speak, the immune system overreacts.
0
Read also
0
New Corona variant Pirola and its symptoms – how it feels
READ2
A neighbor's note with nine exclamation marks attached to the hallway via painter's tape leaves many puzzled
READ
Huge rockfalls on Lake Garda: "The scale of the event surprised everyone"
READ
"I'm coming to the end": Reinhold Messner causes concern among his fans
READ
Remedies for colds: quickly get rid of runny nose and sore throat
READ
Fancy a voyage of discovery?
My Area
In this case, immune cells attack not only the pathogens, but also their own tissue. The result is life-threatening septic shock and the failure of several organs. Emergency medical care is imperative, as septic shock can be fatal.
Symptoms of blood poisoning and how to prevent it
Symptoms of blood poisoning include high fever, chills, an increased pulse, pain, and a strong general feeling of illness. Sepsis is also indicated by either sudden confusion, low blood pressure (systolic below 100 mmHg) or accelerated breathing (22 breaths per minute).
Since sepsis is always preceded by an infection, there is no direct prevention. However, the following measures help to prevent infection and thus reduce the risk of blood poisoning:
- Personal hygiene: especially frequent and thorough hand washing.
- Wound hygiene: Keep wounds clean and disinfected. In case of inflammation, consult a doctor if necessary.
- Vaccinations: especially against influenza viruses and pneumococci. This is especially true for people without a spleen.
- Correct use of medication: take an antibiotic prescribed by the doctor as prescribed and do not stop prematurely when the first symptoms improve.
- Consistent treatment: chronic diseases that weaken the immune system (such as diabetes) should be treated professionally.
- Healthy lifestyle: A balanced diet and sufficient exercise strengthen the immune system.
In general, the faster sepsis is treated by a doctor, the greater the chances of recovery. According to estimates, up to 20,000 deaths are preventable every year. (mg)