sepsis

noun

sep·​sis ˈsep-səs 

plural sepses ˈsep-ˌsēz 

: 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.

compare septicemia

Examples of sepsis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her vital signs pointed to possible sepsis, records show. —Lizzie Presser and Kavitha Surana, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024

Time is of the essence when diagnosing sepsis, but doctors have historically not had reliable ways to do so quickly enough to save patients with antibiotics or antimicrobial treatments. —Alice Park, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

With the help of AI, models are able to analyze patient data and quickly identify subtle changes in a patient's condition that might indicate the early stages of sepsis. —Kathleen Walch, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

In addition, listeria can cross the placenta, and cause miscarriage, preterm labor, sepsis, or death of the newborn. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek sēpsis decay, from sēpein to putrefy

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sepsis

noun

sep·​sis ˈsep-səs 

plural sepses ˈsep-ˌsēz 

: a potentially life-threatening, systemic response of the immune system that results from the spread of pathogenic agents (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, and 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.

compare multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, septicemia