What is sepsis? Sepsis is a medical condition caused by the body’s response to an infection and can be lifethreatening.

More than 1.7 million Americans are diagnosed with sepsis each year, and 24 to 30 percent of them die. Yet most Americans have very little knowledge of the condition.

Sepsis starts with an infection-any infection anywhere in the body. This can be a minor infection of the skin, a urinary tract infection, or one associated with a major medical condition such as pneumonia. Sepsis can also develop in patients who are already in intensive care following surgery or for treatment of infectious disease.

Someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with sepsis every 20 seconds. If treatment is delayed germs can multiply and the risk of dying from sepsis increases by as much as 8% for every hour of delayed treatment.

Simply put, sepsis is a lifethreatening complication of an infection. Because of the many sites on the body from which sepsis can originate, there are a number of symptoms. Most infections will cause symptoms such as sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting or pus-filled skin lesions. These are usually easy to treat with antibiotics.

Generally, sepsis occurs in three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. If treated promptly in stage 1, the chance of recovery is high. But with septic shock, the mortality rate is about 40 percent.

SEPSIS typically presents with a combination of symptoms that vary depending on where the infection starts. The most common include shivering or fever and elevated heart and breathing rates. These are common with many illnesses so early identification is difficult-though very important.

SEVERE SEPSIS may come on quickly and unexpectedly. Any of the following symptoms may indicate that an organ may be failing: a significant decrease in urine output; difficulty breathing; abdominal pain; or confusion.

SEPTIC SHOCK: As severe sepsis worsens, blood pressure plummets and does not respond to fluid replacement. Blood flow to vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys is impaired and there is an increased risk of clotting in organs, arms, legs, fingers and toes.

What can you do to protect yourself against sepsis? Get your flu shot and make sure your vaccinations against pneumonia and other infectious diseases are up to date.

Wash your hands frequently and clean all scrapes and wounds. Be on guard against any type of infection, no matter how minor it might seem, and get treatment promptly.

Antibiotics are a major protection, but don’t take them when they are not needed (such as for viral infections) or fail to complete a prescribed regimen. Misuse and over use of antibiotics can allow resistant strains of bacteria to develop.

The vast majority of infections are treated successfully without complications. But if you have an infection, you should know the signs of sepsis. Chills, fever, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, rash, confusion, disorientation-these are just some of the signs. Get medical attention immediately if you suspect an infection.

Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, St. Luke’s Health

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