BY GEORGE NAVA TRUE II
THOSE who knew her believed that Jan Catherine Sy had everything in life.
She was the granddaughter of the late SM Supermalls founder Henry Sy Sr. The eldest child of SM Prime Holdings Chair Henry Sy Jr., Jan was also the vice president and project director of SM Development Corporation, Moreover, she was an equestrian who trained in France and started competing at 13.
But fate had other plans for her. On March 18, 2021, Jan passed died at 6:35 p.m. after a short hospital stay. She was 29.
What is sepsis?
Details of her death are sketchy but the cause of death was sepsis.
According to the Mayo Clinic, sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that happens when the body responds to an infection and damages its tissues. Instead of focusing on the infection, the body’s defenses turn on themselves. This causes organs to work poorly and abnormally.
Infections that strike these areas can lead to sepsis:
* Bloodstream
* Burns
* Catheter sites
* Digestive system
* Kidney, bladder, and urinary system
* Lungs
* Wounds
Sepsis symptoms
The infection produces the following symptoms:
* A change in mental state
* A drop in systolic blood pressure (the number on top) which is less or equal to 100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)
* A respiratory rate that is higher or equal to 22 breaths a minute
In most cases, sepsis occurs in hospitalized or recently hospitalized patients. The Mayo Clinic said those who stay in an intensive care unit can develop infections that cause sepsis.
But even if you don’t stay there, doctors said sepsis can still occur if you have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection or wound that doesn’t respond to treatment. Emergency care is needed if there is confusion or rapid breathing.
Who are at risk for sepsis?
Those at risk for sepsis include:
* Infants
* Old people
* People with chronic kidney or liver disease
* People with compromised immune systems
* People with diabetes
* Those who use intravenous catheters or breathing tubes
* Those who previously used antibiotics and corticosteroids
* Those who say at the intensive care unit or remain in the hospital for a long time
Untreated, the condition affects blood flow to vital organs, like the brain, heart, and kidneys. Abnormal blood clots may develop or blood vessels may burst.
Septic shock
When sepsis progresses to septic shock, this causes a dramatic drop in blood pressure that results in severe organ problems and death.
Early, aggressive treatment with antibiotics and intravenous fluids can help people with mild sepsis. Close monitoring of patients is needed. Surgery may be required in some cases to remove the source of infection. Patients need oxygen if there is difficulty breathing and dialysis can help if the kidneys have been affected. However, the Mayo Clinic said septic shock leads to death in 40% of cases.
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National Press Club and Philippine Dental Association awardee George N. True II has written two bestsellers based on his popular column that has been running for almost 40 years. For questions about health, email georgenavatrue@yahoo.com./PN
