sepsis

American  

[sep-sis] / ˈsɛp sɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. local or generalized invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins.

   dental sepsis; wound sepsis.

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sepsis British  

/ ˈsɛpsɪs /

noun

1. the presence of pus-forming bacteria in the body

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sepsis Scientific  

/ sĕp′sĭs /

1. A severe infection caused by pathogenic organisms, especially bacteria, in the blood or tissues. If untreated, a localized infection, as in the respiratory or urinary tracts, can lead to infection in the bloodstream and widespread inflammation, characterized initially by fever, chills, and other symptoms and later by septic shock.

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Etymology

Origin of sepsis

First recorded in 1855–60; from Greek sêpsis “decay”; compare sḗpein “to make rotten”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sepsis

What seemed like a simple case of toothache led to a rare heart condition, sepsis and doctors believing Danny Ellis had just a 1% chance of survival.

From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026

The initiative is named after Martha Mills, who died aged 13 in 2021 after developing blood poisoning, or sepsis, in hospital following a bike accident.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

After surgery on his back, he caught sepsis and nearly died.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

After recovering from four bouts of sepsis this year, she discovered she was pregnant on the day she returned home from hospital.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

They call it "sepsis," and they know from bitter experience how quickly a "septic" wound can go from slight redness to gross swelling to a fatal condition called gangrene.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

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