Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection.

Sepsis happens when an infection you already have – in your skin, lungs, urinary tract, or somewhere else – triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.

It is life-threatening, and without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.

Each year, at least 1.7 million adults in America develop sepsis, and nearly 270,000 Americans die as a result.

It’s important that patients, their families and caregivers, and healthcare professionals think about sepsis as a possibility.

Get Ahead of Sepsis reminds us all of the importance of early recognition, timely treatment, and preventing infections.

Sepsis is a medical emergency. Time matters. If you or your loved one suspects sepsis or has an infection that’s not getting better or is getting worse, ask your healthcare professional, “Could this infection be leading to sepsis?”

Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection can lead to sepsis. Certain people are at higher risk, including adults 65 or older; people with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease; people with weakened immune systems; sepsis survivors; and children younger than one.

A patient with sepsis might have one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

Patients and their families should prevent infections, be alert to the signs and symptoms of sepsis, and seek immediate medical care if sepsis is suspected or for an infection that is not getting better or is getting worse.

As a patient, specific steps can be taken to reduce your risk of sepsis, such as: