Sepsis is a serious illness that happens when an infection travels through the whole body.
Sepsis is a serious illness that happens when an infection travels through the whole body. Sepsis can happen in anyone, but it is more likely to happen in people who:
Sepsis can come from an infection in any part of the body, but it is most often linked to infections in the:
Sepsis needs to be treated quickly. If it is not treated, it can become severe. When this happens, it is called "septic shock." Septic shock is life-threatening.
Symptoms of sepsis can include:
Symptoms of severe sepsis can include:
People who have septic shock have many of the symptoms listed above, plus their blood pressure gets low and they sometimes pass out.
Yes, as soon as possible. Sepsis can develop when you are at home or in the hospital. In either case, you (or the person with you) should call the doctor or nurse if you:
If your doctor or nurse is unable to see you immediately, or you can't reach him or her, you should go to the nearest emergency room.
Probably. Your doctor will learn about your symptoms and do an exam. They will likely do tests to look for an infection, see if the infection has spread to your blood, and see how serious your condition is. These tests can include:
Sepsis and septic shock are usually treated in the hospital with:
If an IV or catheter in your body is causing your sepsis, your doctor might take the IV or catheter out.
Some people are also treated with surgery. If you have a severe infection of the skin or tissue under the skin, your doctor might do surgery to remove the infected areas.
Some people with severe septic shock might need a blood transfusion. A blood transfusion is when a person gets blood that was given (donated) by another person. But this is rare.
You can help prevent sepsis by: