10 Sepsis Infection Symptoms
3. Increased Breathing Rate
The central nervous system controls our respiratory rate according to our needs. It usually does not exceed 20 respirations per minute under normal conditions. Exercise and stressful situations may cause us to increase our respiratory rate to get more oxygen inside the tissues and this is quite normal. Conditions like respiratory infections and anaphylaxis may alter our normal respiratory rate.
A respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute is one of the diagnostic parameters of sepsis according to the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA). Even though, respiratory infections might cause an increase in the respiratory rate, this sign is seen in sepsis patients regardless of the cause of the infection.
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