12/03/2025
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that happens when your body overreacts to an infection. Instead of fighting the infection, the body’s response can damage organs and become deadly — fast. It’s also more common than many people realize, affecting more than 1.7 million adults in the U.S. each year.
Early action saves lives! Use this helpful acronym from the Sepsis Alliance to recognize symptoms quickly:
• Temperature changes
• Infection or signs of infection
• Mental decline (confusion, sleepiness)
• Extreme illness (severe pain, trouble breathing)
Sepsis often develops from a common infection such as pneumonia, a UTI or skin infection. It’s more likely to occur in individuals with chronic health conditions, weakened immune systems, or those who have recently had surgery. If you notice these signs in yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department and say, “I’m concerned about sepsis.” Learn more at sepsis.org.
