Common causes and sources of infection
Where infections start that can progress to sepsis.
Common sources
- Lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract/kidneys, abdomen (appendix, gallbladder, bowel), skin/soft tissue, bloodstream/catheters.
- Post-operative infections and device-related infections (lines, urinary catheters, prosthetic joints/valves) can seed the bloodstream.
Why the source matters
- Definitive management often requires source control: draining an abscess, removing an infected line, operating on a perforation.
- Antibiotics alone may not be enough if the source continues to leak bacteria or toxins into the blood.
Sepsis‑ready Anonamed checklist
If sepsis is suspected, minutes matter. Keep these fields current so clinicians can treat fast and safely.
- Allergies — especially antibiotics (penicillins/cephalosporins), contrast, latex
- Current medications — anticoagulants, steroids, chemotherapy/biologics, insulin
- Immunocompromised status — transplant, HIV, neutropenia, long‑term steroids
- Asplenia / hyposplenia flag — “high risk of overwhelming infection”
- Major conditions — heart/lung/kidney/liver disease, diabetes, pregnancy/post‑partum
- Devices / recent procedures — lines, catheters, implants, recent surgery
- Baseline vitals where relevant (e.g., usual BP, oxygen, pulse)
- Emergency contacts and preferred hospital/doctor (if applicable)
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Anonamed: This sepsis reference hub is co-branded with Anonamed. Keeping your emergency record updated can reduce delays and prevent errors when you cannot speak for yourself.