What Is Sepsis?

When you or someone you know is diagnosed with sepsis, it can be scary, and you may have lots of questions. More than 1.7 million adults in the U.S. develop sepsis each year.

Sepsis is a medical emergency. It is a medical condition that is the body’s reaction to an infection. Not everyone who has an infection will develop sepsis, but you cannot get sepsis without an infection. Sepsis can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death.

Anyone who has an infection of any kind can get sepsis. Some common examples of infections that may lead to sepsis include lung, urinary tract, skin, stomach and intestinal infections. People at a higher risk for developing sepsis are:

• Age 65 and older.
• Have chronic diseases such as diabetes, COPD, cancer or kidney disease.
• Have a weakened immune system.
• Infants under 1 year old.

Seek treatment right away if you think you may have any infection and develop any of these new symptoms:

• Shortness of breath.
• Extremely rapid heartbeat.
• Shivering or feeling very cold.
• Extreme pain or discomfort at the infection site or anywhere in the body.
• Clammy or sweaty skin.

Sepsis is a medical emergency and is treated primarily with intravenous antibiotics and fluids, to help target the source of the infection and minimize organ damage. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove tissue damaged by infection.

Typically, sepsis does not hurt. However, there may be pain from the underlying infection or how the body responds to the sepsis itself (this may include swelling, bleeding or blood clots).

Sepsis itself is not contagious. Some of the infections that cause sepsis can be contagious.

Basic infection prevention including:

• Wash your hands well and often.
• Keep cuts clean and covered.
• Stay up to date on your vaccinations.
• Stay home if you are sick.

People can be treated for sepsis, and the infection can be cured if recognized and treated early. Early treatment is better to prevent the possible long-term effects of sepsis. Delayed treatment may result in organ damage that may be permanent. If left untreated sepsis can lead to death. Learn more about sepsis.