sepsis

Table of Contents

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

Read Next

Macro Aedes aegypti Mosquito. Close up a Mosquito sucking human blood,

Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?

People wearing surgical masks (also called face mask or medical masks or safety masks) walk through the city center of Milan, Italy on Feb. 23, 2020. Coronavirus disease COVID-19 pandemic

How Do Face Masks Control the Spread of Disease?

Swollen leg, Human, Foot, inflammation

How Is Inflammation Involved in Swelling?

Scanning electron micrograph showing the spiral-shaped bacteria of the genus Leptospira. These organisms cause leptospirosis.

8 Zoonotic Diseases

close up of 3d microscopic blue bacteria

What Was Life Like Before We Knew About Germs?

Discover

World Data Locator Map: Australia

Is Australia an Island?

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Engraving by Cosomo Colombini (d. 1812) after a Leonardo self portrait. Ca. 1500.

10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci

Hindu Holi Festival celebrations with colored water, powder and colorful flower petals thrown over celebrants at a Hindu temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India on March 24, 2021.

Holi: Festival of Colors

World map. Continents. Oceans. Mendel thumb ok

Just How Many Oceans Are There?

Bar graph of the United States Death Toll during major events. Infogram chart.

U.S. Death Toll During Major Events

Camel at Khor Rori, Oman; mammal.

Do Camels Store Water in Their Humps?

Moonrise over Tucson, Arizona

Why Doesn’t Arizona Observe Daylight Saving Time?

sepsis: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

This college freshman never thought the flu could kill her. Then, she went into sepsis. • Mar. 8, 2025, 12:39 AM ET (USA Today)

Pensioner died of sepsis after physician associate misdiagnosed her with nosebleed • Feb. 28, 2025, 12:18 AM ET (The Telegraph)

'My hand twin made my new fingers when I lost them to sepsis' • Feb. 27, 2025, 6:30 PM ET (BBC)

Photos

See All Images →

Topics

severe sepsis septic shock infection multiple organ dysfunction syndrome inflammation rheumatoid arthritis Bright disease gout cystitis Sjögren syndrome Kawasaki syndrome gastritis

Quiz

44 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Health and Medicine Quizzes

A Yorkshire terrier dressed up as a veterinarian or doctor on a white background. (dogs)

A Visit with the Word Doctor: Medical Vocabulary Quiz