12 Facts About Sepsis

Sepsis, formerly known as septicemia or blood poisoning, is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs.

Sepsis is caused by many organisms including bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Sepsis guidelines recommend obtaining blood cultures before starting antibiotics; however, the diagnosis does not require the blood to be infected.

Sepsis affected about 49 million people in 2017, with 11 million deaths .

Sepsis is caused by a combination of factors related to the particular invading pathogen and to the status of the immune system of the host.

Sepsis caused by gram-negative bacteria is thought to be largely due to a response by the host to the lipid A component of lipopolysaccharide, called endotoxin.

The 2016 Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends low dose hydrocortisone only if both intravenous fluids and vasopressors are not able to adequately treat septic shock.

The 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends IV corticosteroids for adults with septic shock who have an ongoing requirement for vasopressor therapy.

However, the 2016 Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommended to taper steroids when vasopressors are no longer needed.

The Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis score is simpler and useful in the emergency department environment.

Sepsis was the most expensive condition treated in United States' hospital stays in 2013, at an aggregate cost of $23.

Sepsis Alliance is a charitable organization that was created to raise sepsis awareness among both the general public and healthcare professionals.