What is sepsis means

In a typical year: At least 1. Nearly , Americans die as a result of sepsis. Top of Page. Adults 65 or older. People with weakened immune systems. People with recent severe illness or hospitalization. Sepsis survivors. Children younger than one. High heart rate or low blood pressure. Confusion or disorientation. Extreme pain or discomfort.

Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold. Sepsis Alliance tax ID Share your Story. Get Resources. Donate Button — Arrow. What is Sepsis. Updated August 2, What is Sepsis Video. Stay Informed Join our Newsletter. Careers Newsroom Media kit Contact. See your doctor about an infection or wound that hasn't responded to treatment.

Signs or symptoms, such as confusion or rapid breathing, require emergency care. While any type of infection — bacterial, viral or fungal — can lead to sepsis, infections that more commonly result in sepsis include infections of:. As sepsis worsens, blood flow to vital organs, such as your brain, heart and kidneys, becomes impaired. Sepsis may cause abnormal blood clotting that results in small clots or burst blood vessels that damage or destroy tissues.

Also, an episode of severe sepsis places you at higher risk of future infections. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. While symptoms can be subtle and nonspecific, some signs include:.

Neonatal sepsis is still a leading cause of infant death, but with early diagnosis and treatment, the baby will recover completely and have no other problems. With maternal universal screening and proper neonatal testing, the risk of neonatal sepsis has decreased significantly.

Since our immune system weakens as we age, seniors can be at risk for sepsis. In one studyTrusted Source , people over the age of 65 made up nearly 70 percent of sepsis cases. In addition, chronic illness, such as diabetes , kidney disease , cancer, high blood pressure , and HIV, are commonly found with those who have sepsis.

The most common types of infections to cause sepsis in seniors are respiratory like pneumonia or genitourinary like a urinary tract infection. Other infections can come with infected skin due to pressure sores or skin tearing. While these infections might not be noticed for a while, confusion or disorientation is a common symptom to look for when identifying an infection in seniors.

However, the pathogens that caused the original infection that lead to sepsis can be contagious. If you have symptoms of sepsis, your doctor will order tests to make a diagnosis and determine the severity of your infection. One of the first tests is a blood test. Your blood is checked for complications like:. Depending on your symptoms and the results of your blood test, your doctor may order other tests, including:.

There are two tools, or sets of criteria, doctors use to determine the severity of your condition. One is the systemic inflammatory response syndrome SIRS. SIRS is defined when you meet two or more of the following criteria:. Another tool is the quick sequential organ failure assessment qSOFA. It uses the results of three criteria:.

A positive qSOFA is determined if two or more of the above measurements are abnormal. The results of either of these assessments will help your doctor determine care. Doctors use a number of medications to treat sepsis, including:.