Prince Katsura discharged from hospital after 6 months

Sunday 29th March, 04:22 PM JST

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7 Comments

Betting at 08:57 PM JST - 29th March

It would be interesting to know how he developed this condition in the first place.
nurse13 at 03:38 AM JST - 30th March

Betting, from the article I assume it was a blood transfusion reaction. This usually happens when the blood is incompatible with the receiver either that or the blood wasn't stored properly/refrigerated before transfusion or transfused after the window period. There is a window period in which the blood has to be infused after taken from the fridge. The blood should not be infused if the window period had passed but should be sent to the lab and request for a fresh blood bag. Infusing the blood after the window period may cause a reaction in the patient which is an emergency situation. Septic shock causes failure in all vital body organs which results in death if not treated. This can take minutes to hours to days.
JoeBigs at 06:48 AM JST - 30th March

Glad to hear he is out....
Himajin at 08:29 AM JST - 30th March

He was admitted to hospital Sept 28 after having a high fever.

Where is any evidence of a transfusion as cause of his septicemia? Infected teeth, a burst appendix, infected wounds, diabetes, there are any number of causes. Prince Katsura is paraplegic and is confined to a wheelchair, which means he could have had a pressure sore, or even an infected toenail that could have gone unnoticed.
nurse13 at 09:50 AM JST - 30th March

Himajin, from the article, that was my immediate assumption. You are right also that there could have been other causes. An open wound or pressure ulcer if not treated properly and protected from environmental elements provides a portal of entry for bacteria which in turn can result in septicemia. However, infected teeth, or diabetes, does not cause septicemia. Diabetes not managed adequately may cause diabetes ketoacidosis, diabetic shock/coma/death but not blood poisoning. The few ways diabetes can lead to septicemia is that people with diabetes have poor wound healing capabilities due to decreased blood circulation and an open wound provides a portal of entry for bacteria. This is one of the many reasons that diabetic patients’ are advised to check the bottom of their feet for pressure sores or blisters or not to wear to tight shoes (diabetic patients also have decreased sensation due to nerve damage), and are advised to report to their physician if present. Also, a reason in which proper wound care teaching and implementation is important in diabetic patients. With Prince Katsura being paraplegic as you stated, there is a possibility that it was caused by pressure ulcer due to immobility and external pressure on boney prominences such as the bottom of feet, buttocks, back, elbows, etc. (no cushioning). I do not know much about the empirical family and perhaps jumped rather quickly to conclusions. As I stated earlier, the way the article is worded lead me to believe that it was a blood transfusion of some sort. I think we can both agree or disagree that the article is rather vague.
Himajin at 10:49 AM JST - 30th March

The few ways diabetes can lead to septicemia is that people with diabetes have poor wound healing capabilities

Exactly.

The article is very vague as usual, but it says that he was brought to the hospital and placed into intensive care with a high fever, not that he got the fever after treatment.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-causes-of-septicemia.htm
archiebald at 12:20 PM JST - 30th March

Nurse 13,

I will add some personal experience about your comments on diabetes, it can be very insidious. My father in law was suffering from low level diabetes without even knowing it. He developed a pain in his toe with no external signs or infection. By the time he eventually went to the doctor, a blood infection had set in. The doctor sent him straight to hospital where they amputated the toe, but within a day or toe he developed a fever and went into a coma.

Realising the infection had spread, the doctors first amputated his foot but still no improvement so the ended up taking his leg off from above the knee. Finally they got it all and he started to recover. He was in hospital for a total of 4 months.