The prognosis for sepsis, or blood poisoning, can vary widely depending on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause of the infection. Some people with sepsis may recover quickly with prompt treatment, while others may experience serious complications or even die.
By some estimates, severe sepsis or septic shock strikes nearly 1 million Americans each year. Blood poisoning can be a deadly condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, septic shock has a 50 percent mortality rate. Even if treatment is successful, sepsis can lead to permanent damage. Your risk for future infections may be greater. People who recover from sepsis are also at a higher risk of developing serious complications. Some long-term side effects of sepsis include:
- possible blood clots
- organ failure, requiring surgery or lifesaving measures to be administered
- tissue death (gangrene), requiring removal of the affected tissue or possibly amputation
- thinking difficulties (such as problems with planning, organizing, and multitasking).
Sepsis can be triggered by many types of infections. “But the most common cause of sepsis is community–acquired pneumonia,” Angus says. Scientists are still working to understand why some people with infections develop severe sepsis or septic shock while others don’t.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sepsis is the leading cause of death in non-coronary intensive care units, and it is responsible for more deaths than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and HIV/AIDS combined.
If you suspect that you or someone else has sepsis, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, as timely treatment can improve the chances of survival and recovery.