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Kyle Busch’s sudden death has drawn attention to a rare but devastating medical development: when pneumonia develops into fatal sepsis.
An ER doctor spoke to Fox News Digital about how sepsis can begin a rapid decline in health.
“Sepsis is actually not a specific disease or diagnosis, but rather a syndrome that occurs when the body has some abnormal effects and a suspected infection,” said Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, an emergency medicine physician in South Carolina.
HOW PNEUMONIA PROGRESSES TO SEPSIS: DOCTORS EXPLAIN AFTER KYLE BUSCH’S DEATH
Markers of sepsis include elevated white blood cell counts, a high or low temperature, and an elevated heart and breathing rate, according to Perry. Because of this, a patient with pneumonia is usually technically septic by definition.
After the sudden passing of Kyle Busch, the focus is on the rapid descent from pneumonia to fatal sepsis. (Getty; Stock)
Although many people think that a worsening infection means that the bacteria are multiplying out of control, it usually has more to do with the internal environment of the body.
“Usually it’s not the bacteria themselves that cause the decline,” Perry said. “In most cases, it’s a cascade of inflammatory processes that are triggered by an infection.”
When this inflammation gets out of control, the body goes from having a manageable infection to severe sepsis. This is where healthy people can quickly deteriorate.
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“The concerning thing that can happen to any person … is that sepsis can lead to low blood pressure, critical vital signs and organ damage,” Perry said.
“As more organs fail, it becomes more difficult for the medical team to treat and sometimes it can lead to death.”
“A medical examination provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed to sepsis, which led to immediate and severe complications,” the family said in a statement. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
It is very unlikely that you will have pneumonia and not have symptoms, according to Perry. Early symptoms can mimic a severe flu, including fever, chills, productive cough, and chest or back pain in cases where the lung is infected.
When sepsis takes hold, time becomes of the essence. “We’ve known for years that early antibiotic therapy is helpful in treating sepsis,” Perry said.
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If you or a loved one is dealing with an infection at home, doctors say the following red flags mean you should skip the clinic and head straight to the emergency room.
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- Shortness of breath or shortness of breath
- A racing heart or a fever that gets worse even after starting treatment
- Severe chest pain associated with productive cough
The slide became sepsis, in many cases, a cascade of inflammatory processes driven by infection, said the doctor. (Stock)
While cases like Busch’s are tragic, Perry stressed that this should not cause widespread panic. Most patients with pneumonia do well with standard oral antibiotics.
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The NASCAR star’s rapid decline underscores the importance of medical monitoring and “a primary care physician who has a good relationship with him,” according to an ER doctor.
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“Monitoring symptoms while having easy access to primary care is a very beneficial and appropriate program for many patients,” he added.
