What is sepsis?

According to the current definition, sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection (Singer et al., 2016). Thus, sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises, when the body’s response to infection damages its own tissues and organs. The development of organ dysfunction distinguishes sepsis from minor, self-limiting infections.

Sepsis is the worldwide leading infection-related cause of death. With annually more than 280.000 new cases in Germany and a lethality of ca. 30%, it currently ranks third in mortality statistics.

The dynamic stages of sepsis

A local infection cannot be limited by the body’s defense mechanisms; pathogens and the toxins they produce can trigger a general inflammatory response. The blood vessels around the infection focus expand and become more permeable. The release of messenger substances allows white blood cells to penetrate the vascular walls into the tissues to fight the pathogens. The blood in the micro-vessels surrounding the infection coagulates as a defense mechanism.
While the inflammatory response is targeted to destroy pathogens or clear toxins, it also inflicts collateral damage: circulating mediators affect the function of individual organs, which start to deteriorate and then completely fail.
Several organs stop functioning, either sequentially or simultaneously. In severe cases, blood pressure drops dramatically, the heart races, the oxygen supply via the lungs, and consequently of the organs and tissues, deteriorates, and the patient’s mental status is gravely impaired. The patient suffers a septic shock, putting his life in acute danger.

Sepsis symptoms

Sepsis can lead to shock, multiple organ failure, and even death, in particular if not recognized early and treated promptly. Sepsis symptoms are, however, often unspecific and lead to delayed diagnosis.

Symptoms of sepsis are:

Confusion, disorientation
Shortness of breath, rapid breathing
Low blood pressure, high heart rate
Extreme discomfort
Fever, shivering (sometimes hypothermia)
Sweating, clammy skin

Sources of sepsis

Sepsis can arise as complication from any infection, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections, but also following wound infection. Sepsis can be caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal pathogens.

Common sources of septic infections are the respiratory system, skin and soft tissue, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system.

Support for sepsis survivors and their relatives (in Germany):

German Sepsis Aid, Deutsche Sepsis-Hilfe e. V.

Further information:

German Sepsis Society, Deutsche Sepsis-Gesellschaft e. V.

World Sepsis Day