Why can people become hypothermic during sepsis?
Hi Underground…During sepsis, the toxins released by some bacteria, especially of the Gram-negative type, affect the brain’s temperature regulating center in a negative way, allowing body temperatures to drop to sometime dangerous levels. Alterations in body temperature may be frequently observed in patients. Body-wide infections may alter the host body temperature. Septic patients who develop hypothermia have a significantly worse outcome than those who develop a fever or maintain a normal body temperature. Peri-operative hypothermia may occur as a result from anesthetic action, surgical procedures, or specific targeted interventions. This peri-operative hypothermia is associated with poor outcomes including increased surgical wound infections.
