Sepsis

Request an Appointment
Print

Overview

Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly.

Sepsis may progress to septic shock. This is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs. When the damage is severe, it can lead to death.

Early treatment of sepsis improves chances for survival.

Symptoms

Symptoms of sepsis

Symptoms of sepsis may include:

  • Change in mental status.
  • Fast, shallow breathing.
  • Sweating for no clear reason.
  • Feeling lightheaded.
  • Shivering.
  • Symptoms specific to the type of infection, such as painful urination from a urinary tract infection or worsening cough from pneumonia.

Symptoms of sepsis are not specific. They can vary from person to person, and sepsis may appear differently in children than in adults.

Symptoms of septic shock

Sepsis may progress to septic shock. Septic shock is a severe drop in blood pressure. Progression to septic shock raises the risk of death. Symptoms of septic shock include:

  • Not being able to stand up.
  • Strong sleepiness or hard time staying awake.
  • Major change in mental status, such as extreme confusion.

When to see a doctor

Any infection could lead to sepsis. Go to a health care provider if you have symptoms of sepsis or an infection or wound that isn't getting better.

Symptoms such as confusion or fast breathing need emergency care.

Request an appointment

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Causes

Any type of infection can lead to sepsis. This includes bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Those that more commonly cause sepsis include infections of:

  • Lungs, such as pneumonia.
  • Kidney, bladder and other parts of the urinary system.
  • Digestive system.
  • Bloodstream.
  • Catheter sites.
  • Wounds or burns.

Risk factors

Some factors that increase the risk infection will lead to sepsis include:

  • People over age 65.
  • Infancy.
  • People with lower immune response, such as those being treated for cancer or people with HIV.
  • People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease or COPD.
  • Admission to intensive care unit or longer hospital stays.
  • Devices that go in the body, such as catheters in the vein, called intravenous, or breathing tubes.
  • Treatment with antibiotics in the last 90 days.
  • A condition that requires treatment with corticosteroids, which can lower immune response.

Complications

As sepsis worsens, vital organs, such as the brain, heart and kidneys, don't get as much blood as they should. Sepsis may cause atypical blood clotting. The resulting small clots or burst blood vessels may damage or destroy tissues.

Most people recover from mild sepsis, but the mortality rate for septic shock is about 30% to 40%. Also, an episode of severe sepsis raises the risk for future infections.

By Mayo Clinic Staff
Request an appointment
Diagnosis & treatment
Feb. 10, 2023
Print
  1. Forrester JD. Sepsis and septic shock. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/critical-care-medicine/sepsis-and-septic-shock/sepsis-and-septic-shock. Accessed Nov. 19, 2022.
  2. Bennett JE, et al. Sepsis and septic shock. In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 19, 2022.
  3. Temesgen Z, et al., eds. Sepsis. In: A Rational Approach to Clinical Infectious Diseases: A Manual for House Officers and Other Non-Infectious Diseases Clinicians. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 19, 2022.
  4. Neviere R. Sepsis syndromes in adults: Epidemiology, definitions, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and prognosis. https//www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, 2022.
  5. Schmidt GA, et al. Evaluation and management of suspected sepsis and septic shock in adults. https//www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, 2022.
  6. Pomerantz WJ, et al. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis in children: Definitions, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis. https//www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, 2022.
  7. Font MD, et al. Sepsis and septic shock — Basics of diagnosis, pathophysiology and clinical decision making. The Medical Clinics of North America. 2020; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcna.2020.02.011. Accessed Nov. 19, 2022.
  8. Gavelli F, et al. Management of sepsis and septic shock in the emergency department. Internal and Emergency Medicine. 2021; https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-021-02735-7. Accessed Nov. 19, 2022.
  9. How can I get ahead of sepsis? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/prevention/index.html. Accessed December 10, 2022.

Related

Associated Procedures

Products & Services

Sepsis