Sepsis kills millions of people every year, and many deaths follow a delay in recognition. The modern definition focuses on organ dysfunction rather than inflammation alone.
What changed with Sepsis-3
The 2016 Sepsis-3 consensus defined sepsis as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, identified by an acute rise of two or more points in the SOFA score. Septic shock is sepsis with vasopressor requirement and a raised lactate despite adequate fluid resuscitation.
Screening tools have limits
The quick SOFA score — respiratory rate of 22 or more, altered mentation and systolic blood pressure of 100 mmHg or less — predicts poor outcome, but it is not sensitive enough to be used alone as a screening tool. Early warning scores and clinical judgement remain essential.
Early priorities:
- Measure lactate and take blood cultures
- Give antimicrobials promptly — within one hour when shock is likely
- Start fluid resuscitation for hypotension or high lactate
- Find and control the source of infection
“Ask ‘could this be sepsis?’ every time a patient with infection looks unwell.”
Imaging plays a growing role in source identification — from chest radiographs to ultrasound for biliary and renal sources and CT for intra-abdominal collections.
This article is for education only and does not replace clinical judgement or local guidelines.
