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Questions and answers

What is sepsis

Sepsis is the body’s overreaction to an infection. It needs urgent treatment.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Infection spreads through the vessels
Figure 1.Infection spreads through the vessels

01Short answer

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in which the body’s response to an infection starts to damage its own tissues and organs. The risk is high in people with weakened immunity, especially with neutropenia. Signs include fever or an unusually low temperature, chills, a fast heartbeat and breathing, confusion, low blood pressure and passing less urine. In sepsis time is critical: early treatment with antibiotics and fluids improves the outcome.

02Simple explanation

Sepsis is the body’s “alarm system” going out of control.

It can be more dangerous than the infection itself.

03Scientific explanation

Under the Sepsis-3 definition, sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated response to infection; septic shock is a severe form that needs medicines to keep blood pressure up.

In neutropenia sepsis can develop quickly, which is why antibiotics start at once for febrile neutropenia.

04What happens in the body?

Why it happens

Bacteria, fungi or viruses can enter the blood. The body responds with strong inflammation; blood vessels widen, pressure falls and blood flow to organs drops.

The signs

Fever and chills, severe weakness, fast breathing, confusion, mottled skin and passing less urine. With these signs, call an ambulance.

The organs’ alarm signals
Figure 2.The organs’ alarm signals

Treatment

Antibiotics, fluids into a vein, oxygen and, if needed, medicines in intensive care to support blood pressure. Starting early matters most.

Calm monitoring in intensive care
Figure 3.Calm monitoring in intensive care

05How sepsis develops

Four stages.

A local infection — A germ starts in one place.1A local infectionA germ starts in one place.
The body overreacts — Inflammation spreads through the body.2The body overreactsInflammation spreads through the body.
Organs struggle — Pressure and blood flow fall.3Organs strugglePressure and blood flow fall.
Urgent treatment — Antibiotics and fluids.4Urgent treatmentAntibiotics and fluids.
Early recognitionKnowing the signs saves lives.
Fast treatmentEvery hour counts.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Why it happensBacteria, fungi or viruses can enter the blood. The body responds with strong inflammation; blood vessels widen, pressure falls and blood flow to organs drops.
The signsFever and chills, severe weakness, fast breathing, confusion, mottled skin and passing less urine. With these signs, call an ambulance.
TreatmentAntibiotics, fluids into a vein, oxygen and, if needed, medicines in intensive care to support blood pressure. Starting early matters most.

07Key terms

Sepsis
A response to infection that damages organs.
Septic shock
Severe sepsis where blood pressure cannot be kept up without medicines.
Culture
A test to find the germ.

08Key points

  • Sepsis is an emergency.
  • The risk is high with neutropenia.
  • Know the signs.
  • Early treatment improves the outcome.

09Frequently asked questions

Can people recover from sepsis?

Yes, many do, though tiredness and weakness can last a while.

How can sepsis be prevented?

Hand hygiene, line care, food safety and seeking help fast with a fever.

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 people recover from sepsis?

  2. How can sepsis be prevented?

My questions

12Sources

  1. NHS. Sepsis
  2. World Health Organization (WHO). Sepsis — fact sheet
  3. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  4. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: absolute neutrophil count
  5. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  6. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). How to Understand Your Lab Results
  7. NHS. Chemotherapy
  8. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Recurrent Cancer: When Cancer Comes Back
  9. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Survivorship: During and After Treatment
  10. NHS (UK). Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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