Patient education: Sepsis in adults – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is sepsis? — Sepsis is a serious illness that happens when an infection travels through the whole body. Sepsis can happen in anyone, but it is more likely to happen in people who:

●Are older or bedridden

●Are staying in the hospital or had recent surgery

●Have tubes such as catheters or IVs in their body

●Have a weak infection-fighting system (for example, because they are being treated for cancer)

Sepsis needs to be treated quickly. If it is not treated, it can become severe. When this happens, it is called "septic shock." Septic shock is life-threatening.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Ask your doctor if there is anything you can do to prevent getting sepsis again.

●Get treatment right away if you think that you have another infection.

●Take all of your medicines as instructed, even if you are feeling better.

●Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.

●Get the vaccines that your doctor recommends.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure that you know when and where to go.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, and other symptoms like:

•Trouble breathing

•Severe headache and neck stiffness

•Confusion

●You have a seizure.

●You have signs of severe fluid loss, such as:

•No urine for more than 8 hours

•Feeling very lightheaded, or like you are going to pass out

•Feeling weak, like you are going to fall

Call for advice if:

●You have signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, very sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum (mucus) or change in color of sputum, pain with urinating, or a wound that will not heal.

●You are confused or cannot think clearly.

●You have vomiting or diarrhea.

●Your heart rate is too slow or too fast.

●You have breathing problems, like feeling short of breath or having pain with breathing.

●You see bleeding under the skin that looks like tiny bruises or a rash.

●You are not feeling better in 1 to 2 weeks, or you are feeling worse.

More on this topic

Patient education: Sepsis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Shock (The Basics)