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

This may increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), respiratory infections, bacterial skin infections, peritonitis, and, in severe cases, septicemia and sepsis. —Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024

In 22 years of use, the agency recorded 32 deaths related to it, including its use in two ectopic pregnancies and several cases of sepsis. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 14 June 2024

One research idea often folds into another, and that was the case with sepsis. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2024

But Molla chose to bring her pregnancy to term, and, a week after delivering a healthy girl, died of sepsis, leaving her children motherless. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 27 June 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