Sepsis After a Colonoscopy: Warning Signs and Causes

Sepsis, according to the CDC, is a potentially life-threatening condition and is the body’s extreme reaction to an infection that does not stop. It usually occurs following bacterial infections, but can be caused by viral, fungal or parasitic infections as well. The CDC also notes that infections that become septic most often start in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, skin or urinary tract.

While sepsis is uncommon after a colonoscopy, it is important to be aware of the signs that an infection is becoming septic.

According to Stony Brook Medicine, sepsis does not always present with the same symptoms in every patient, but the most common early signs of sepsis can include:

• Fever, shivering or a very low body temperature (hypothermia);
• Chills;
• A fast heartbeat (tachycardia);
• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath;
• Confusion or disorientation;
• Dizziness;
• Extreme pain or discomfort;
• Pale, clammy or sweaty skin; and
• Severe weakness or fatigue.

It is important to note that different people will experience varying levels of severity in their symptoms, different combinations of symptoms and different rates of progression. If you believe you could be experiencing sepsis, do not wait until all of these symptoms are present to seek medical attention. Contact your doctor immediately. In some patients, sepsis can worsen significantly within hours.

Broadly speaking, there are three stages to the progression of sepsis. Most of the above-listed symptoms are indicative of early sepsis. If the condition progresses to a certain point, however, it becomes severe sepsis and can begin to affect organ function, which can lead to problems with kidney function, blood circulation or breathing. Patients at this stage usually require hospital treatment.

Finally, the most severe stage of sepsis is known as septic shock, which causes a person’s blood pressure to drop dangerously low and, in turn, means the body cannot deliver sufficient oxygen to its vital organs, leading the kidneys, lungs, liver and other major organs to begin to fail. This is a life-threatening medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Symptoms of septic shock, per Stony Brook Medicine, may include:

• Severe trouble breathing;
• Extreme confusion or altered mental state;
• Complete inability to stay awake;
• Cold, pale or blue-looking skin; and
• Severe weakness.

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