Sepsis Quiz
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Have a fever
Fatigued
Mood swings (dozing, getting angry too easily, getting confused, and low energy levels)
Have a headache
Becoming listless and unenergetic
Poor feeding
Brain fog
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis occurs when the immune system has an extreme response to an infection, damaging healthy tissues and organs and leading to poor organ function. It can worsen to septic shock, a severe form of sepsis that is life-threatening.
Typical Symptoms of Sepsis
- Bluish or pale skin
- Changes in mood and consciousness (irritability, confusion, low energy)
- Breathing rate more than 20 times per minute
- Fast heartbeat (more than 100 beats a minute)
- Less responsive or fewer facial expressions lately
- Kidney failure on dialysis
- Fever
- Pain at the back of the head
Diagnostic Questions for Sepsis
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have any bluish or pale skin?
- Have you been experiencing any mood or consciousness changes such as irritability, confusion, or low energy?
- Is your breathing rate more than 20 times per minute?
- Have you been experiencing a fast heartbeat (more than 100 beats a minute)?
- Have you seemed less responsive or shown fewer facial expressions lately?
Treatment of Sepsis
Emergency medical treatment in a hospital is necessary. Treatment includes administering antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, and fluids directly into the vein in a timely manner. Quick action to control the infection source is also needed. Heart and blood pressure support is necessary for severe cases like septic shock.
Reviewed By:
Saqib Baig, MD, MS (Pulmonology, Critical Care, Internal Medicine)
Dr. Baig graduated from Army Medical College (NUST) Pakistan in 2007. He did his internal medicine training from Baltimore, Maryland, USA during the years 2009-2013. He joined the internal medicine faculty practice at Medical College of Wisconsin in USA for 2 years before pursuing advanced training. He completed his pulmonary disease and critical care medicine fellowship from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School from 2015-2018. | | During his fellowship, Dr. Baig completed his master's in health care services management through Rutgers Business School. He currently serves as the medical director of respiratory therapy and pulmonary function lab and the clinical director of the COPD program at the Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute at Thomas Jefferson University. He holds the Assistant Professor of Medicine rank at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Baig's interests lie in respiratory physiology, airways disease, and data science.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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- Numbness in fingers
- Mood swings
- Pale skin
- Cold hands
- Tachycardia
- My mood and activity levels vary a lot
- Cold hands and feet
- Finger joint pain
- Low energy levels
- Circulation issues in hands
- Fingers turn blue
- Fast heart beat
- Dozing off
- Discoloration of fingers or toes
- Fingers turn blue when cold
See full list
Symptoms Related to Sepsis
Diseases Related to Sepsis
FAQs
Q.
What is Sepsis? Why Your Body Attacks Itself & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency in which your immune system overreacts to an infection and harms your own tissues and organs, sometimes causing septic shock, but outcomes improve greatly with early recognition and treatment. Know the warning signs and high-risk situations, and act fast with urgent medical evaluation and hospital care such as IV antibiotics, fluids, and addressing the source; there are several factors to consider that can affect your next steps, including prevention and recovery details, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Singer, M., Deutschman, C. S., Seymour, C. W., Shankar-Hari, M. G., Annane, D., Bauer, M., ... & Hotchkiss, R. S. (2016). The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA, 315(8), 801-810.
* Evans, L. E., Rhodes, A., Alhazzani, W., Antonelli, M., Coopersmith, C. M., French, C., ... & Dellinger, R. P. (2021). Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021. Critical Care Medicine, 49(11), e1063-e1143.
* van der Poll, T., van de Veerdonk, F. L., Scicluna, B. P., & Netea, M. G. (2017). The immunopathology of sepsis and potential therapeutic targets. Nature Reviews Immunology, 17(7), 407-420.
* Cecconi, M., Evans, L., Levy, M., & Rhodes, A. (2018). Sepsis and septic shock. The Lancet, 392(10141), 75-87.
* Vincent, J. L., & Deutschman, C. S. (2021). Sepsis: a disease of altered physiological homeostasis. Critical Care, 25(1), 1-13.
Q.
Is This Septic Shock? Why Your Organs Fail & Urgent Medical Steps
A.
Septic shock is a life-threatening emergency where an infection triggers an overwhelming immune response that crashes blood pressure, starving organs of oxygen and causing failure; recognize red flags like confusion, rapid breathing, very low blood pressure, little urine, cold clammy skin, or severe shortness of breath, and call emergency services immediately because early IV fluids, antibiotics, vasopressors, and oxygen can save lives. There are several factors to consider that can change your next steps, including the infection sources, who is at higher risk, how doctors diagnose it, and what recovery may involve; see below for complete details and urgent actions to take.
References:
* Singer M. Septic Shock. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jul 1;385(1):70-83. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra2026107. PMID: 34185186.
* Levy MM, Evans LE, Rhodes A. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021. Intensive Care Med. 2021 Oct;47(10):1181-1247. doi: 10.1007/s00134-021-06506-y. Epub 2021 Oct 2. PMID: 34509825.
* Puthucheary Z, Annane D. Septic shock. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2023 Mar;37(1):15-28. doi: 10.1016/j.bpa.2022.12.001. PMID: 36737083.
* Singer M, Deutschman CS, Seymour CW, Shankar-Hari M, Annane D, Bauer M, Bellomo R, Bernard GR, Chiche JD, Coopersmith CM, Hotchkiss RS, Levy MM, Marshall JC, Opal SM, Rubertsson L, van der Poll D, Vincent JL, Zimmerman GA. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA. 2016 Feb 23;315(8):801-10. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.0287. Erratum in: JAMA. 2016 May 24-31;315(20):2227. PMID: 26903338.
* Cecconi M, Evans L, Levy M, Rhodes A. Sepsis and Septic Shock. Lancet. 2018 Mar 24;391(10134):1854-1864. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30225-7. PMID: 29503116.
Q.
Is it Sepsis? Why Your Body is Failing and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider: sepsis is a life-threatening emergency where an infection triggers an out-of-control immune response that harms organs, and immediate hospital care with IV antibiotics, fluids, oxygen support, and source control saves lives. Watch for fever or abnormally low temperature, rapid heart or breathing, confusion, extreme weakness, very low blood pressure, low urine, or bluish lips, especially in older adults, infants, and people with weakened immunity; seek emergency care now and see the complete details and medically approved next steps below.
References:
* Evans LE, Rhodes A, Alhazzani W, et al. Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021. Crit Care Med. 2021 Nov 1;49(11):e1063-e1143. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005337. PMID: 34604724.
* Singer M, Deutschman CS, Seymour CW, et al. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA. 2016 Feb 23;315(8):801-10. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.0287. PMID: 26903338.
* Renckens R, De Hert S. The Pathophysiology of Sepsis. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2021 Sep;35(3):363-372. doi: 10.1016/j.bpa.2021.08.001. Epub 2021 Aug 17. PMID: 34563309.
* Seymour CW, Gesten F, Prescott TL, et al. Early recognition of sepsis and initiation of appropriate management: A narrative review. World J Crit Care Med. 2017 Aug 4;6(4):303-314. doi: 10.5492/wjccm.v6.i4.303. PMID: 28839958. PMCID: PMC5557252.
* Prescott HC, Opal SM. Current Management of Sepsis: A Review. JAMA. 2020 Jan 28;323(4):368-379. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.22410. PMID: 31961314.
Q.
Is it Sepsis? Why Your Body is Failing & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Sepsis is a life threatening emergency caused by the body’s out of control response to an infection, leading to widespread inflammation, dropping blood pressure, and organ failure; red flags that can escalate quickly include fever or very low temperature, fast breathing or heart rate, sudden confusion, extreme pain, and clammy skin. If these appear, seek emergency care immediately since early hospital treatment with IV antibiotics, fluids, oxygen, and blood pressure support saves lives. There are several factors and high risk groups to consider, plus step by step guidance on when to call 911, what to tell a doctor, prevention, and recovery; see the complete details below because they could change your next steps.
References:
* Singer M, Deutschman CS, Seymour CW, Shankar-Hari M, Annane D, Bauer M, et al. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA. 2016 Feb 23;315(8):801-10. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.0287. PMID: 26903338; PMCID: PMC4968574.
* Hotchkiss RS, Moldawer LL, Opal SM, Rangel-Moreno J, Reith F. Sepsis and Septic Shock. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2023 Mar 16;9(1):15. doi: 10.1038/s41572-023-00424-x. PMID: 36928810.
* Evans L, Rhodes A, Alhazzani W, Antonelli M, Coopersmith CR, French C, et al. Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021. Crit Care Med. 2021 Nov 1;49(11):e1063-e1143. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005337. PMID: 34605799.
* Kaukonen KM, Uusaro A, Vakkala M, Ruokonen E, Jalkanen M, Tenhunen JJ. Early Recognition of Sepsis and Septic Shock in the Emergency Department. J Clin Med. 2023 May 10;12(10):3397. doi: 10.3390/jcm12103397. PMID: 37240461; PMCID: PMC10219662.
* Cecconi M, Arulkumaran N, Chew MS, De Backer D, Ebm C, Finfer S, et al. Sepsis and septic shock. Nat Med. 2024 Jan;30(1):164-173. doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02752-x. Epub 2024 Jan 12. PMID: 38216599.
Q.
Internal Fire? Why Your Body Shuts Down & How to Stop Sepsis
A.
Sepsis is a life-threatening internal fire where an infection triggers an out-of-control immune response that leads to widespread inflammation, leaky blood vessels, dangerously low blood pressure, organ failure, and death if not treated quickly, yet early care can be lifesaving. Watch for infection plus fever or very low temperature, rapid heart or breathing, severe pain, clammy skin, confusion, bluish or pale skin, or low urine and seek emergency care; hospital treatment includes urgent antibiotics, IV fluids, oxygen, blood pressure support, and removing the infection source, while prevention centers on early infection care, completing antibiotics, wound care, hand hygiene, and vaccines. There are several factors to consider that can affect your next steps; see below for complete details.
References:
* Singer M, Deutschman CS, Seymour CW, Shankar-Hari M, Annane D, Bauer M, Bellomo R, Bernard GR, Chiche JD, Coopersmith CM, Hotchkiss RS, Levy MM, Marshall JC, Martin GS, Opal SM, Rubenfeld GD, van der Poll K, Vincent JL, Angus DC. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA. 2016 Feb 23;315(8):801-10. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.0287. PMID: 26903338.
* Chaudhry H, Duggal A, Rosenthal MD, Bander J, Brause P, Pinsky MR. Organ dysfunction in sepsis. Crit Care Med. 2023 Mar 1;51(3):e116-e126. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005700. Epub 2022 Nov 21. PMID: 36410499.
* Evans L, Rhodes A, Alhazzani W, Antonelli M, Coopersmith CM, French C, Levy M, Machado FR, McCarthy M, McIntrye L, Ostermann C, Prescott HC, Schorr S, Simpson S, Sirounis D, Taylor B, Townsend S, van der Poll K, Dellinger RP. Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021. Crit Care Med. 2021 Nov 1;49(11):e1063-e1143. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005337. Epub 2021 Sep 30. PMID: 34509763.
* Hotchkiss RS, Moldawer LL, Opal SM, Coopersmith CM, Deutschman CS, Levy MM. Sepsis and septic shock. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2023 May 11;9(1):20. doi: 10.1038/s41572-023-00431-7. PMID: 37169871.
* Pugin J, Contou D, de Prost N, Legrand M. Current and future treatments for sepsis: The dawn of host-directed therapy. Intensive Care Med. 2023 Apr;49(4):371-382. doi: 10.1007/s00134-023-07010-z. Epub 2023 Mar 2. PMID: 36862368.
Q.
Sepsis Signs Women 30-45 Often Miss: Symptoms & Next Steps
A.
Women 30 to 45 often miss early sepsis signs like fever or low temperature, fast heart rate, rapid breathing, extreme fatigue, confusion, severe or unusual pain, much less urination, and pale, blotchy, or blue-tinged skin, especially after UTIs, pneumonia, wounds, childbirth or miscarriage, C-section, IUD insertion, or pelvic surgery. If you have an infection and develop trouble breathing, confusion, severe worsening pain, faintness or very low blood pressure, or blue or gray lips, seek emergency care immediately since early antibiotics and fluids save lives. There are several factors to consider for risks, red flags, and prevention steps like prompt infection care, finishing antibiotics, wound care, vaccines, and managing chronic conditions, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31897453/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23979450/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34561284/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36341295/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31898517/
Q.
Sepsis in Women 65+: Life-Saving Warning Signs You Must Know
A.
In women 65+, sepsis is a medical emergency; urgent warning signs include sudden confusion or sleepiness, fast breathing or heart rate, fever or feeling very cold, extreme weakness, pale or clammy skin, decreased urination, and any rapid worsening like low blood pressure or severe shortness of breath, often after infections such as UTIs, pneumonia, or skin wounds. There are several factors to consider, and symptoms can be subtle in older women, so see below for the full checklist of signs, common sources, who is most at risk, what doctors do, prevention and recovery tips, and the exact next steps including when to seek emergency care and how a symptom check can help.
References:
* Papi, E., Frangella, E., Perrella, A., Zanza, C., Cazzato, S., Orlando, A., Sgueglia, M., Abenavoli, L., Cestari, L., Piccioni, F., Scarlata, S., & Pirozzolo, G. (2021). Sepsis in the Elderly: A Narrative Review. *Journal of Clinical Medicine*, *10*(14), 3167. DOI: 10.3390/jcm10143167
* Faulstich, M., Kianfar, H., & Schefold, J. C. (2020). Sepsis in Older Adults: A Review of the Current Literature. *Journal of Clinical Medicine*, *9*(10), 3289. DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103289
* Sun, J., Yang, H., Mao, Z., Guo, S., Wang, T., Zhang, S., Li, Y., Jiang, L., & Xi, J. (2021). Clinical features and outcome of sepsis in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Aging Clinical and Experimental Research*, *33*(1), 1–13. DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00331-5
* Leligdowicz, A., Dupuis, G., St-Louis, E., & St-Pierre, S. (2018). Sex Differences in Clinical Features, Course, and Outcome of Sepsis: A Systematic Review. *Shock*, *50*(6), 614–625. DOI: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000001089
* Wewers, M. D., & Kern, J. (2018). Sex differences in sepsis: current insights. *Infection and Drug Resistance*, *11*, 1545–1553. DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S164741
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https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Faix JD. Biomarkers of sepsis. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2013 Jan-Feb;50(1):23-36. doi: 10.3109/10408363.2013.764490. PMID: 23480440; PMCID: PMC3613962.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/10408363.2013.764490Purcarea A, Sovaila S. Sepsis, a 2020 review for the internist. Rom J Intern Med. 2020 Sep 1;58(3):129-137. doi: 10.2478/rjim-2020-0012. PMID: 32396142.
https://www.sciendo.com/article/10.2478/rjim-2020-0012Napolitano LM. Sepsis 2018: Definitions and Guideline Changes. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2018 Feb/Mar;19(2):117-125. doi: 10.1089/sur.2017.278. PMID: 29447109.
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/sur.2017.278Rello J, Valenzuela-Sánchez F, Ruiz-Rodriguez M, Moyano S. Sepsis: A Review of Advances in Management. Adv Ther. 2017 Nov;34(11):2393-2411. doi: 10.1007/s12325-017-0622-8. Epub 2017 Oct 11. PMID: 29022217; PMCID: PMC5702377.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12325-017-0622-8