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CDC is working to prevent and control sepsis, the body's extreme and life-threatening response to an infection.
- How Can I Get Ahead of Sepsis
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- About Sepsis
Sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection. It is...
- How Can I Get Ahead of Sepsis
Mar 8, 2024 · Sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the: Gastrointestinal tract. Lung. Skin or. Urinary tract
Mar 8, 2024 · If a specific bacterial cause of sepsis is known, therapy should be targeted to optimize treatment, and broad-spectrum antibiotics might not be needed. Check patient progress frequently. Treatment requires urgent medical care, usually in an intensive care unit in a hospital, and includes careful monitoring of vital signs.
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Symptoms of sepsis
Symptoms of sepsis may include:
Symptoms of septic shock
Sepsis may progress to septic shock. Septic shock is a severe drop in blood pressure. Progression to septic shock raises the risk of death. Symptoms of septic shock include:
Any infection could lead to sepsis. Go to a health care provider if you have symptoms of sepsis or an infection or wound that isn't getting better.
Symptoms such as confusion or fast breathing need emergency care.
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Any type of infection can lead to sepsis. This includes bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Those that more commonly cause sepsis include infections of:
•Lungs, such as pneumonia.
•Kidney, bladder and other parts of the urinary system.
•Digestive system.
•Bloodstream.
•Catheter sites.
Some factors that increase the risk infection will lead to sepsis include:
•People over age 65.
•Infancy.
•People with lower immune response, such as those being treated for cancer or people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
•People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
•Admission to intensive care unit or longer hospital stays.
As sepsis worsens, vital organs, such as the brain, heart and kidneys, don't get as much blood as they should. Sepsis may cause atypical blood clotting. The resulting small clots or burst blood vessels may damage or destroy tissues.
Most people recover from mild sepsis, but the mortality rate for septic shock is about 30% to 40%. Also, an episode of severe sepsis raises the risk for future infections.
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By Mayo Clinic Staff
Feb 10, 2023
1.Forrester JD. Sepsis and septic shock. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/critical-care-medicine/sepsis-and-septic-shock/sepsis-and-septic-shock. Accessed Nov. 19, 2022.
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Jan 3, 2024 · Sepsis is a person’s overwhelming or impaired whole-body immune response to an insult —an infection or an injury to the body, or something else that provokes such a response. Sepsis occurs unpredictably and can progress rapidly. In the worst cases, blood pressure drops, the heart weakens, and the patient spirals toward septic shock.
This toolkit allows healthcare professionals who are interested in using the sepsis surveillance methodology from the national burden study to track healthcare facility-level sepsis incidence and outcomes using an objective definition based on clinical data.
Mar 15, 2024 · At a glance. Protect yourself and your family. CDC offers free educational resources to help prevent sepsis or spot it early when it happens. Order free Get Ahead of Sepsis materials. You can order two ways: Visit CDC-Info On Demand – Publications. Select "Sepsis" from the Topic or Program drop-down menu and click "Apply" Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
