: a potentially life-threatening, systemic response of the immune system that results from the spread of pathogenic agents (such as bacteria or viruses) and their toxins to the bloodstream from a localized infection (as of the lungs), that involves both inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity, that is marked especially by fever, chills, rapid heart rate and breathing, fatigue, confusion, increased blood coagulation, hypotension, impaired microcirculation, and organ dysfunction, and that may progress to septic shock
Note: The primary cause of sepsis is pneumonia with secondary causes commonly including infections of the abdominal cavity and urinary tract.
Recent Examples on the WebIn a small number of cases, women have died of sepsis after doctors refused to intervene while the fetus’s heart was still beating.BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2022 Both people were hospitalized with sepsis due to pneumonia but recovered upon receiving proper antibiotic treatment. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 28 July 2022 This can help prevent a more severe case, such as sepsis, which would require hospitalization.Fox News, 6 Aug. 2022 Some develop sepsis-like symptoms or central nervous system infections. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 29 July 2022 The agency says an antiviral medication called tecovirimat may be considered for people with severe monkeypox disease, such as sepsis, brain inflammation or other conditions that need hospitalization. Neeraj G. Patel, CNN, 20 July 2022 In infants less than 3 months, symptoms may include with fever, sepsis-like syndrome or neurologic illness, including seizures and meningitis. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 19 July 2022 People with complex diseases such as sepsis, pneumonia, and congenital heart disease, who required admission to a hospital only a few years ago can — and do — receive high-quality, acute care in the safety and comfort of their homes. Stephen Parodi And Ceci Connolly, STAT, 18 July 2022 Adverse effects include bacteremia/sepsis, pneumonia, invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, and disseminated fungal infection. Chris Smith, BGR, 9 June 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek sēpsis decay, from sēpein to putrefy