By admin 
HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — NASCAR legend Kyle Busch’s family shared in a statement that his death was linked to severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.
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Busch died days before he was planned to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday.
He suffered from a severe case of inflammation of the lungs.
Medical Emergency
Novant Health Critical Care Specialist and Sepsis Codirector Dr. Daniel Feinstein said pneumonia can be both infectious and noninfectious. He said the inflammation takes place in the lung air sacs called alveoli.
“These patients who develop pneumonia have typical symptoms of cough, fevers and shortness of breath,” Dr. Feinstein said. “The types of organisms that can cause pneumonia vary but are generally bacterial and viral overall.”
He said sepsis is an inflammatory condition that works as a response to an infection.
Dr. Feinstein said medical experts have considered sepsis a medical emergency for the last five to 10 years. He said it is important to get medical care quickly after identifying severe symptoms of sepsis.
“Mental status changes when we have confusion,” Dr. Feinstein said. “When we have distress of our breathing or an increase in our respiratory rate or we’re reporting shortness of breath or with excursion or at rest, that’s significant. If we have passing out, or what we call syncope, and we have light-headedness.”
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Vulnerable Groups
He said very young people and the elderly are the vulnerable groups to severe complications with pneumonia and sepsis. He said patients with abnormal immune systems, such as patients on specific medications or chemotherapy, are also vulnerable. Patients with recurring infections who are exposed to antibiotics over a long period of time are also vulnerable.
Dr. Feinstein said it is a challenge to spot patients with symptoms outside of the vulnerable category.
“Let’s say younger or stronger patients with normal immune systems. Even they can compensate quite well for a socked in pneumonia or a community-acquired pneumonia, and they compensate by breathing faster,” Dr. Feinstein said. “They compensate maybe by the heart rate going up, maybe taking a larger breath, and they compensate quite a while until they can’t anymore.”
He said cases of pneumonia do not mean a patient will automatically get sepsis.
“Our bodies have amazing immune systems that really fight off a large majority of infections,” Dr. Feinstein said. “Of course, with the care of your medical provider and with the care as an outpatient.”
Time Matters
He said his message to patients dealing with symptoms is to seek medical care as soon as possible.
“This is a medical emergency, and when we can get to you quickly, we can help patients quite a bit, but time matters,” Dr. Feinstein said. “My message is that time matters in sepsis care, and so we need to get you in to see your medical provider, emergency room if you’re having concerns of pneumonia and sepsis.”
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