Sepsis/septic shock

Sepsis is a rare but serious complication of an infection.

Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death.There are around 123,000 cases of sepsis a year in England. Around 37,000 people die every year as a result of the condition. Anyone can develop sepsis after an injury or minor infection, although some people are more vulnerable.

People most at risk of sepsis include those:

• with a medical condition or receiving medical treatment that weakens their immune system
  
• who are already in hospital with a serious illness
  
• who are very young or very old
  
• who have just had surgery or who have wounds or injuries as a result of an accident

Although sepsis is often referred to as either blood poisoning or septicaemia, these terms refer to the invasion of bacteria into the bloodstream.

Sepsis can affect multiple organs or the entire body, even without blood poisoning or septicaemia.It can also be caused by viral or fungal infections, although bacterial infections are by far the most common cause.

For more information about sepsis and support available, visit the Sepsis Trust

• HOW WE HELP PATIENTS
• The story behind the image
• From mountainside to bedside
• Learning from life at the limits
• Acute mountain sickness, HACE and HAPE
• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
• Blue Baby Syndrome
• Congenital heart disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Oxygen deficiency
• Sepsis/septic shock
• Information about ICU and support offered