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Medicine vocabulary · Diseases by System

Sepsis

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/ˈsepsɪs/nounCommon term

In medicine, sepsis means: A life-threatening reaction to an infection in which the body's response starts to damage its own organs.

In Turkish: sepsis

How it is used

A medical emergency with time-critical treatment bundles, such as the 'Sepsis Six' in the UK. Doctors screen for sepsis, treat for sepsis and look for the source. The adjective is septic: 'septic shock'.

Example sentences

  1. She meets the criteria for sepsis, so she needs antibiotics within the hour.

  2. Sepsis from a urinary source is common in elderly patients.

Common collocations

  • suspected sepsis
  • septic shock
  • sepsis screening
  • source of sepsis
  • infectionAn illness caused when bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites enter the body and multiply.
  • antibioticA medicine that kills bacteria or stops them from growing, used to treat bacterial infections. It does not work against viruses.
  • intensive care unitA hospital unit with special equipment and highly trained staff for critically ill patients who need close monitoring or organ support, such as a ventilator.
  • vital signsThe basic body measurements checked to see how ill a patient is: temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure, and often oxygen level.
  • feverA body temperature higher than normal, usually above about 38 °C, often a sign that the body is fighting an infection.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Diseases by System

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.