Introduction
Despite the advent of antibiotics, Infection still remains a major cause of death either in isolation or as the terminal complication of underlying chronic illness. There are a number of overlooked factors that reduce a patient’s immunity and increase their susceptibility to serious infection and sepsis. These should be reviewed in any patient with suspected infection.
High risk groups – Chemotherapy patients, Organ Transplant patients, Neonates, AIDS
High risk patients may not manifest classical features of infection i.e. fever, elevated WCC/CRP and a high degree of suspicion for sepsis should be entertained (and aggressive investigation and early treatment) if there are focal signs of infection
Anatomical considerations
- Presence of any foreign body in the human body e.g catheters, cannula, tubes, stents, prosthesis, implants
- Impaired anatomical barriers e.g. inflamed or traumatised skin, inability to cough, urinary incontinence
Immunological considerations
- Acquired – usually from Immnomodulators or Immunosupressants, HIV
- Congenital (rare but more often seen in paediatric population)