What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.

Every minute counts! If there are signs, administration of antibiotics and fluids will save lives. Next, learn about 4 signs you can’t ignore. 

It’s About T.I.M.E.

Temperature – Is it higher or lower than normal?

Infection – Are there signs and symptoms? 

Mental Decline – Does the person feel confused, sleepy, or are they difficult to rouse?

Extremely Ill – Is there severe pain or discomfort … “I feel like I might die.”

What causes sepsis?

Any type of infection that is anywhere in your body can cause sepsis, including infections of the skin, lungs (such as pneumonia), urinary tract, abdomen (such as appendicitis), or other parts of the body. An infection occurs when germs enter a person’s body and multiply, causing illness and organ and tissue damage.

Who gets sepsis?

Anyone can get sepsis as a bad outcome from an infection, but the risk is higher in:

• people with weakened immune systems
• babies and very young children
• elderly people
• people with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, AIDS, cancer, and kidney or liver disease
• people suffering from a severe burn or wound

Ask your doctor about your risk of getting sepsis.

Download the current Sepsis Fact Sheet from the Sepsis Alliance on sepsis.org.

Astonishing Facts

• Sepsis is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals.
• Sepsis is the leading cause of readmissions to the hospital with 19% of people hospitalized with sepsis needing to be re-hospitalized within 30 days.
• As many as 87% of sepsis cases originate in the community.
• Mortality from sepsis increases by as much as 8% for every hour that treatment is delayed. As many as 80% of sepsis deaths could be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment.
• Approximately 6% of all hospitalizations are due to sepsis and 35% of all deaths in hospitals are due to sepsis.

Download more facts about Sepsis from the Sepsis Alliance on sepsis.org.

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.

Every minute counts! If there are signs, administration of antibiotics and fluids will save lives. Next, learn about 4 signs you can’t ignore. 

It’s About T.I.M.E.

Temperature – Is it higher or lower than normal?

Infection – Are there signs and symptoms? 

Mental Decline – Does the person feel confused, sleepy, or are they difficult to rouse?

Extremely Ill – Is there severe pain or discomfort … “I feel like I might die.”

What causes sepsis?

Any type of infection that is anywhere in your body can cause sepsis, including infections of the skin, lungs (such as pneumonia), urinary tract, abdomen (such as appendicitis), or other parts of the body. An infection occurs when germs enter a person’s body and multiply, causing illness and organ and tissue damage.

Who gets sepsis?

Anyone can get sepsis as a bad outcome from an infection, but the risk is higher in:

• people with weakened immune systems
• babies and very young children
• elderly people
• people with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, AIDS, cancer, and kidney or liver disease
• people suffering from a severe burn or wound

Ask your doctor about your risk of getting sepsis.

Download the current Sepsis Fact Sheet from the Sepsis Alliance on sepsis.org.

Astonishing Facts

• Sepsis is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals.
• Sepsis is the leading cause of readmissions to the hospital with 19% of people hospitalized with sepsis needing to be re-hospitalized within 30 days.
• As many as 87% of sepsis cases originate in the community.
• Mortality from sepsis increases by as much as 8% for every hour that treatment is delayed. As many as 80% of sepsis deaths could be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment.
• Approximately 6% of all hospitalizations are due to sepsis and 35% of all deaths in hospitals are due to sepsis.

Download more facts about Sepsis from the Sepsis Alliance on sepsis.org.