Sepsis

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infection. Risk factors for sepsis include malignancy, older age, immunodeficiency, hemodialysis, alcoholism, diabetes.
Sepsis occurs when the body has an extreme, life-threatening response to an infection. The condition arises when an infection you already have in your skin, lungs, urinary tract, or elsewhere triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. As a result, the immune system releases chemicals into the bloodstream to combat the infection, but this process leads to widespread inflammation.
People with sepsis may experience symptoms such as fever, chills, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, confusion, and disorientation. Without prompt treatment, sepsis can progress to septic shock, causing a dramatic drop in blood pressure that may lead to severe organ damage and death. Doctors typically diagnose and treat sepsis with a combination of antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and other supportive measures to stabilize the patient and control the infection. Early recognition and immediate medical intervention significantly increase the chances of recovery.

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology