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Medical glossary

Sepsis

Sepsis is the body's extreme reaction to an infection, which can damage organs. It is an emergency.

Last updated: ~1 min read
An intensive care room with a patient bed and medical equipment
Figure 1.Sepsis needs urgent treatment

01Short answer

During neutropenia an ordinary infection can quickly turn into sepsis. Signs include fever or, the opposite, a low temperature, shivering, fast breathing and heartbeat, confusion, passing little urine, blotchy skin and feeling very unwell. If you have these signs, do not wait: call your team or emergency services. Early antibiotics save lives.

02Simple explanation

An extreme reaction to infection.

A risk in neutropenia.

Do not wait.

Early treatment.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: sepsis is a severe reaction of the body to an infection.

The NCI Dictionary explains cancer terms in plain language; check the exact meaning for your situation with your doctor.

04What happens in the body?

Signs

Fever, shivering, confusion and fast breathing.

An urgent road
Figure 2.An urgent road — Sepsis

What to do

Contact your team or emergency services at once.

The hospital
Figure 3.The hospital — Sepsis

Where you will see this word

In test results, discharge letters and conversations with your doctor. Write the word down and ask what it means.

Ask your doctor

The general meaning and the meaning of your own result can differ. The most important question is “What does this mean for me?”

05From an unfamiliar word to a clear answer: four steps

Write it down, look it up, prepare a question, ask.

Write it down — From a result or a conversation.1Write it downFrom a result or a conversation.
Look it up — Learn the plain meaning.2Look it upLearn the plain meaning.
Prepare a question — What does this mean for me?3Prepare a questionWhat does this mean for me?
Ask — Your doctor gives the personal explanation.4AskYour doctor gives the personal explanation.
UnderstandingResults feel less frightening.
ConversationA shared language with your doctor.
SafetyNot drawing conclusions alone.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
SignsFever, shivering, confusion and fast breathing.
What to doContact your team or emergency services at once.
Where you will see this wordIn test results, discharge letters and conversations with your doctor. Write the word down and ask what it means.
Ask your doctorThe general meaning and the meaning of your own result can differ. The most important question is “What does this mean for me?”

07Key terms

Septic shock
Sepsis with a severe fall in blood pressure.
Antibiotic
A medicine against bacteria.
Term
A word with a precise medical meaning.
Reference range
The range a laboratory considers normal.

08Key points

  • Learn.
  • Ask your doctor.
  • Write it down.
  • Write the word down.
  • Ask what it means.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I wait until morning?

No, call straight away.

How can sepsis be prevented?

Hygiene and reacting quickly to fever.

This word is in my results: should I worry?

The word itself does not mean a serious or mild condition; get the explanation from your doctor.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Can I wait until morning?

  2. How can sepsis be prevented?

  3. This word is in my results: should I worry?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: sepsis
  2. NHS. Sepsis
  3. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: febrile neutropenia
  4. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
  5. National Cancer Institute. Leukemia
  6. National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: white blood cell
  7. National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: neutrophil
  8. National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: neutropenia
  9. National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: bone marrow biopsy
  10. National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: karyotype
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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