Sepsis can turn deadly quickly: The warning signs you should never ignore
Key Points(5)
- An infection that begins in the lungs, urinary tract, skin or even the gastrointestinal tract can sometimes trigger a far more dangerous medical emergency: sepsis.
- Sepsis occurs when the body's response to an infection sets off a chain reaction that can damage its own tissues and organs.
- Without rapid treatment, the condition can progress to organ failure, septic shock and death.
- This September, during Sepsis Awareness Month, health advocates are urging people to learn the warning signs of a condition that remains a major cause of death worldwide.
- The World Health Organization estimates that sepsis affects about 49 million people and is associated with approximately 11 million deaths globally each year — about 20% of deaths worldwide.
An infection that begins in the lungs, urinary tract, skin or even the gastrointestinal tract can sometimes trigger a far more dangerous medical emergency: sepsis.
Sepsis occurs when the body's response to an infection sets off a chain reaction that can damage its own tissues and organs. Without rapid treatment, the condition can progress to organ failure, septic shock and death.
This September, during Sepsis Awareness Month, health advocates are urging people to learn the warning signs of a condition that remains a major cause of death worldwide.
The World Health Organization estimates that sepsis affects about 49 million people and is associated with approximately 11 million deaths globally each year — about 20% of deaths worldwide. Nearly half of estimated cases occur among children younger than 5.
In the United States, at least 1.7 million adults develop sepsis annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 350,000 adults who develop the condition die during hospitalization or are discharged to hospice.
Yet sepsis can be difficult to recognize because there is no single symptom that definitively signals the condition.
What causes sepsis?
Sepsis begins with an infection.
According to the CDC, infections that lead to sepsis most commonly start in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, skin or urinary tract. Bacterial infections cause most cases, but viral and fungal infections can also result in sepsis.
Essentially, the body's attempt to fight an infection becomes harmful itself. The immune response becomes dysregulated, damaging tissues and organs rather than simply attacking the infection.
The result can be a rapid deterioration in a person's condition.
Anyone who has an infection can potentially develop sepsis, but certain people face greater risks. These include adults 65 and older, babies younger than 1, people with weakened immune systems and those with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, lung disease and kidney disease.
People who have recently experienced a severe illness, undergone surgery or been hospitalized are also at increased risk. Pregnant and postpartum women are among the groups considered more vulnerable.
What are the warning signs?
One of the challenges is that the symptoms can resemble those of other illnesses. A person with sepsis may experience one or several symptoms, and their condition can change quickly.
The CDC says warning signs can include:
- Fever, shivering or feeling very cold
- Confusion or disorientation
- Shortness of breath
- A high heart rate or weak pulse
- Clammy or sweaty skin
- Extreme pain or discomfort
The WHO also lists rapid breathing, low blood pressure and decreased urine output among possible signs.
Sepsis Alliance encourages people to remember the acronym TIME: T for temperature that is higher or lower than normal; I for signs or symptoms of infection; M for mental decline, such as confusion, sleepiness or difficulty waking; and E for feeling extremely ill, including severe pain, discomfort or shortness of breath.
The presence of these symptoms, particularly in someone who has or recently had an infection, warrants urgent medical attention.
Why acting quickly matters
Sepsis is a medical emergency, much like a heart attack or stroke.
Once sepsis develops, a person's condition can deteriorate rapidly. The CDC says health care providers should immediately evaluate and treat people who may have sepsis. Treatment can include antibiotics when appropriate, intravenous fluids and measures to maintain blood flow to vital organs. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove tissue damaged by infection.
Early recognition is therefore critical.
The CDC advises people with an infection that is not improving or is getting worse to seek medical attention immediately and ask a health care provider whether the infection could be leading to sepsis.
Can sepsis be prevented?
Not every case of sepsis can be prevented, but reducing the risk of infection can lower the chances of developing it.
Recommended measures include keeping up to date with appropriate vaccinations, properly managing chronic health conditions, washing hands regularly and keeping cuts and wounds clean and covered until they heal.
Recognizing when an infection is getting worse is equally important.
Sepsis Alliance, which established September as Sepsis Awareness Month in 2011, is marking the observance's 15th anniversary in 2026. This year's campaign is also emphasizing a straightforward message: preventing infections can help prevent sepsis.
Despite the potentially devastating consequences, public understanding of sepsis remains limited. Sepsis Alliance says fewer than 15% of U.S. adults can identify its signs and symptoms.
Knowing those signs can make a critical difference.
If an infection is getting worse instead of better — particularly if it is accompanied by confusion, difficulty breathing, extreme pain, abnormal temperature, clammy skin or a rapid heart rate — don't wait to see whether it passes.
Sepsis can progress quickly, and getting medical care quickly can save a life.
