What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Also called blood poisoning or septicemia, sepsis occurs when the body has an extreme response to an untreated infection, such as pneumonia, influenza, or urinary tract infections. Without prompt treatment, sepsis can quickly cause severe damage to the internal organs and even lead to death.
Sepsis at a glance
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81%
Of Americans do not know all of the signs and symptoms of sepsis
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1.7 million
American adults are diagnosed every year
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Every 2 minutes
Someone dies from sepsis in the U.S.
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80%
Of sepsis cases begin outside of the hospital
Preventing a sepsis infection
Sepsis is caused by any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, so infection prevention is the best way to lower your risk of the illness. Tips for sepsis prevention include:
- Wash your hands. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after eating as well as after going to the bathroom, coughing or sneezing, and direct contact with others.
- Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccines. Getting vaccinated against pneumonia, flu, and other illnesses can help to prevent sepsis.
- Follow wound care instructions. Keep cuts and scrapes clean, and follow any wound care guidelines from your doctor after hospitalization or surgery.
- Know the signs and symptoms of sepsis. Lookout for any signs of the condition. If you recognize even one symptom, call your doctor right away and ask, “Could I have sepsis?”
- Act fast. If you suspect sepsis, don’t delay. Seek medical attention immediately. Early detection and treatment is critical.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of sepsis
Sepsis, a life threatening medical emergency, is the body’s extreme response to an infection. An estimated 81% of Americans do not know all of the signs and symptoms of sepsis, which takes a life every two minutes in the U.S.
Sepsis can progress quickly within hours to days. The key to detecting sepsis early is accurate and timely completion and documentation of vital signs. As a result, it’s critical that you call your doctor or seek emergency medical care if you or a loved one have any sepsis symptoms.
The acronym “SEPSIS” can help you to remember the following warning signs:
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S - Shivering, fever, or very cold
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E - Extreme pain or discomfort
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P - Pale, discolored, clammy, or sweaty skin
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S - Sleepy, confusion, or disorientation
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I - “I feel like I might die"
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S - Shortness of breath
Sepsis risk factors
Anyone can develop sepsis. However, some people are at higher risk of developing the serious condition, including:
- Infants and the elderly
- People with chronic illnesses
- People who recently had surgery or were hospitalized
- Those with a weakened or impaired immune system
Although infections can be spread from person to person, sepsis is not contagious.
Diagnosing sepsis
Unlike diseases or conditions like diabetes or kidney stones, there is no one test that can tell if you have sepsis. Diagnosis is made after your doctor evaluates your symptoms, your history, and other tests that may indicate you have an infection. This can then lead your doctor to suspect you have sepsis. Some tests that may be done to determine if a patient has sepsis include:
Blood Tests
- Complete blood count
- Lacate
- C-reactive protein
- Blood culture
- Prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time (PT and PTT), platelet count, and d-dimer
Diagnostic Tests
- Chest X-ray
- Urine Tests
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
Sepsis treatment
Sepsis is a medical emergency and needs to be treated as quickly and efficiently as possible. Treatments often include multiple types of antibiotics and IV fluids, such as saline.
Visit sepsis.org to learn more.
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Our locations
If you or a loved one have any sepsis symptoms, go directly to the nearest MedStar Health Emergency Department (ER) or Urgent Care.
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MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9000 Franklin Square Dr. Baltimore, MD 21237
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Rd. NW Washington, DC, 20007
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
5601 Loch Raven Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21239
MedStar Harbor Hospital
3001 S. Hanover St. Baltimore, MD 21225
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Rd. Clinton, MD 20735
MedStar St. Mary's Hospital
25500 Point Lookout Rd. Leonardtown, MD 20650
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 E. University Pkwy. Baltimore, MD 21218
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW Washington, DC 20010
MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
102 Irving St. NW Washington, DC, 20010