Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body’s response to an infection becomes extreme, leading to widespread inflammation, tissue damage, and organ dysfunction. It can result from any infection—bacterial, viral, or fungal—but is most commonly triggered by severe infections of the lungs, urinary tract, abdomen, or bloodstream. Sepsis progresses rapidly and requires immediate recognition and treatment to prevent severe complications such as septic shock, multiple organ failure, and death.
Sepsis develops when the immune system, instead of fighting the infection in a controlled manner, releases chemicals into the bloodstream that trigger widespread inflammation. This inflammatory response impairs blood flow, reduces oxygen supply to vital organs, and causes abnormal clotting, leading to further tissue injury. Individuals with weakened immunity—such as newborns, elderly people, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses—are at higher risk of developing sepsis. Hospitalized patients, especially those with invasive devices like catheters or ventilators, also face increased risk.
Early symptoms include fever or low body temperature, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, confusion, extreme discomfort, and decreased urine output. As sepsis advances, symptoms become more severe, leading to dangerously low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and organ failure. Timely diagnosis is crucial and is typically done through blood tests, cultures, imaging, and evaluation of organ function.
Treatment must begin immediately and usually includes broad-spectrum antibiotics, intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, and medications to stabilize blood pressure. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue. Intensive care monitoring is often required to support organ function and prevent complications.
Preventing sepsis involves controlling infections effectively through vaccination, proper hygiene, safe wound care, and early medical attention for fevers, infections, or persistent symptoms. Awareness and timely action remain key in reducing sepsis-related illness and mortality.