Sepsis is a medical emergency that can cause tissue damage, organ failure, and death. As published in JAMA in 2016, “Sepsis should be defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.1”
The most frequent locations for infections that are often linked to sepsis include the lungs, urinary tract, skin, and gut. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and some strains of streptococcus are the most commonly identified organisms that lead to sepsis.
Although anyone can get an infection that can lead to sepsis, those most at risk include adults age 65 or older, children younger than 1 year, people with weakened immune systems, and people with chronic medical conditions.
Diagnosis of sepsis occurs through a number of physical findings, such as fever, hypotension, tachycardia, and tachypnea. Lab tests are also ordered to check for signs of infection and organ damage. Sepsis symptoms can mimic those of other conditions, making diagnosis difficult in the early stages.
It is important to note there is no single symptom of sepsis, so it is important to know the symptoms and be aware that it can manifest through a combination of any of the following:
Treatment includes antibiotics and maintaining blood pressure, oxygen, and IV fluids. Some patients may require mechanical ventilation, dialysis, or surgery to remove infected tissues.
Some people experience long-term effects after surviving sepsis. These include muscle and joint pains, organ dysfunction, decreased mental functioning, panic attacks, insomnia, and even amputations.
Prevention of sepsis includes keeping recommended vaccines up to date and practicing good hygiene, handwashing, and wound care. Other prevention activities include measures to prevent health-care-associated infections and encouraging smoking cessation.
For additional information, visit cdc.gov/sepsis/get-ahead-of-sepsis 
.
1Singer, M., Deutchman, C., Seymour, C., et al. (2016). The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock(Sepsis-3). JAMA. 2016;315(8):801-810. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.0287
