Sepsis and Parkinson's Disease

Many chronic or progressive diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, put you at risk for developing infections. As Parkinson’s disease progresses, it can become increasingly difficult to swallow food and drink without choking. You may aspirate the food or drink, which means it goes into the lungs instead of your stomach. When you aspirate, you can develop pneumonia, an infection that can trigger sepsis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that happens when your body’s response to an infection damages vital organs and, often, causes death. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Suggested Citation:
Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Parkinson’s Disease. 2024. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/parkinsons-disease/

Updated March 14, 2024.

 

More About Parkinson's Disease

Definition

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects how your muscles move. In the beginning stages, it can be easy to miss the early signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The most common ones include:

  • Tremors, usually starting with the fingers or hand
  • A noticeable change in handwriting
  • Walking is slower, movement is stiffer
  • Stiff, rigid muscles
  • Loss of balance
  • Stooped posture
  • Quieter voice, difficulty speaking
  • Stiff, mask-like face
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory loss
Diagnosis

Parkinson’s disease is often diagnosed by the typical signs and symptoms related to the disease. There are no specific tests for Parkinson’s disease. However, your doctor may send you for other tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other imaging tests to rule out any other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

Causes

It’s not yet known what causes Parkinson’s disease, but researchers believe that some people may be at higher risk of developing the disease. They include people who have:

  • A family history of Parkinson’s disease
  • Been exposed to toxins, such as some insecticides
  • Experienced head trauma
Treatment

Parkinson’s disease is not curable. Treatments focus on relieving symptoms as much as possible and allowing you to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.

There are different types of drugs that may help relieve or lessen tremors and make it easier to control muscle movement.

There also has been some success with deep brain stimulation for some patients. Research is ongoing.

Falls and Traumas

People with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease are at risk of falling and injuring their skin. These injuries can become infected. Falls can also cause fractures, such as a broken hip. If a fracture breaks through the skin (an open fracture) or needs surgery for the bone to be set, again, infection is possible.

Healthcare-acquired Infections

When you have a chronic or progressive illness, healthcare facility admissions aren’t unusual. This puts you at risk for developing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), most frequently infections such as MRSA and C. difficile.

There are many ways someone with a chronic or progressive can develop an infection, so it’s important to always be aware of the possibility, and to watch for the signs and symptoms of sepsis. Quick recognition and treatment is the key to survival.

Related Resources

Hanneke O.

I’ve lost my dear sister on August 28th, 2024, due to sepsis. She was 65 years old, had a small wound on her foot, was in septic shock. I understand now. She thought she suffered from the flu for 6 days, and collapsed in the toilet because of sudden blood pressure failure. She was admitted on the ICU, foot had to be amputated, but her whole leg was so bad they had to amputate that as well. She suffered from severe diabetes, heart failure and ICD for 5 years and she decided to choose for palliative care. (Sepsis and Diabetes) ... Read Full Story

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Allison B.

Ten months ago on a Tuesday, I developed what I thought were cold symptoms – a sore throat, low grade fever (100) and a swollen lymph node in my neck. Overall I felt okay, it wasn’t anything too unusual. By Thursday, my lymph node was VERY swollen. I called my doctor’s office, and they gave me some suggestions over the phone to help my throat, etc. Later that night, my fever went up to 103. On Friday, one of the doctors finally agreed I should be seen. He tested me for Covid and flu, but not strep because my throat ... Read Full Story

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Alyvia C.

Towards the beginning if this year, I came down with what was believed to be strep. My illness consisted of swollen lymph nodes, tonsils, and a sore throat. I was in bed for days. I began feeling better after I went to an urgent care in my town and started on antibiotics. Stupidly, I didn’t finish my round of antibiotics because I began to feel better. (Sepsis and Strep Throat) About a week later, I started experiencing extreme pain in my left lung. Thinking it was muscle spasms, I ignored it. After suffering from the pain for a week, I ... Read Full Story

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Rose Aumen

As a registered nurse, I knew when assessing patients in the Emergency Room the appearance/signs/symptoms of sepsis. I never thought I would become a sepsis patient myself. I was in pretty good health for a 65-year-old female. March of 2024 I had chills that morning, My right leg was hurting the day before and was still somewhat painful but tolerable. I took two Tylenol and went back to bed. After resting I felt pretty good, Later that evening I suddenly was unable to walk and had severe pain in my right hip. Bacteremia and sepsis took over my entire body. ... Read Full Story

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Krystal Anderson

Krystal Anderson: A Life Cut Short from Maternal Sepsis, A Legacy of Strength and Resilience Krystal Anderson’s life was marked by vibrant dedication to her passions and profound love for her family. A mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend, Krystal was a beacon of joy and inspiration to all who knew her. Her sudden passing at the age of 40 from maternal sepsis, mere days after the tragic stillbirth of her daughter Charlotte Willow, left a community in mourning and a family without its cornerstone. Krystal was a dynamic and impactful person to everyone she encountered. She thrived in dual ... Read Full Story

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Other Topics

Aging

Sepsis can and does affect people of all ages, but people who are over 65 years old are even more susceptible to sepsis.

Healthcare-Acquired Infections (HAIs)

An HAI is an infection contracted in a healthcare facility, such as an acute care hospital or a skilled nursing care facility.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs, most commonly caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungus.

Sepsis Alliance Connect

A virtual support community designed for the millions of people affected by sepsis.

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Parkinson’s Disease

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