Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body's response to an infection becomes dysregulated, causing widespread inflammation that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death if not promptly treated. While sepsis most commonly develops from bacterial infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, abdominal infections, or infected wounds, it can also result from viral, fungal, or parasitic infections. Early symptoms include high fever or abnormally low temperature, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion, and extreme pain or discomfort, which can rapidly progress to severe sepsis with dangerously low blood pressure (septic shock), difficulty breathing, reduced urine output, and altered mental status. Sepsis triggers a cascade of inflammatory responses throughout the body that can damage multiple organ systems including the lungs, kidneys, liver, and heart. Diagnosis requires immediate clinical assessment including blood tests to identify infection markers and organ function, blood cultures to identify the causative organism, and imaging studies to locate the infection source. Treatment is time-critical and involves prompt administration of intravenous antibiotics (ideally within one hour of recognition), aggressive fluid resuscitation, medications to support blood pressure and organ function, and often intensive care unit monitoring. Early recognition and treatment significantly improve survival rates, while delayed treatment increases the risk of severe complications and death.