Sepsis occurs when the body has a severe and dangerous response to an infection. It is caused by the immune system's overwhelming reaction to infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, which leads to widespread inflammation and can damage organs
. How you get sepsis:
- Any infection can potentially lead to sepsis. Common infections that trigger sepsis include:
- Lung infections such as pneumonia
- Urinary tract infections
- Abdominal infections including appendicitis, peritonitis, or infections of the liver or gallbladder
- Skin or wound infections
- Infections of the brain or nervous system like meningitis
- Blood infections (septicemia)
- In hospitals, sepsis can also arise from infections related to medical devices such as intravenous (IV) lines, urinary catheters, surgical wounds, or bedsores
- The infection can start anywhere in the body, but the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract are the most common sites
Who can get sepsis?
- Anyone with an infection can develop sepsis, but higher risk groups include:
- Infants and older adults
- People with chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, cancer, kidney or heart disease)
- Those with weakened immune systems (due to chemotherapy, radiation, HIV/AIDS)
- Patients with recent surgery, burns, or medical tubes in their body
- People who have had sepsis before
In summary, sepsis results from the body’s extreme immune response to an infection anywhere in the body, often bacterial but sometimes viral, fungal, or parasitic. It is a life-threatening condition triggered by infections commonly in the lungs, urinary tract, or abdomen, and can also be associated with hospital-acquired infections
