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DictionarysepsisLife-threatening response to infection
noun

sepsis

SEP-sis/ˈsepsɪs/

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the body's response to infection.

The diagram shows sepsis affecting several organs after an infection.

Non-graphic medical conceptual illustration: simplified torso silhouette with small localized infection in lower leg and connected inflammatory red/orange signals affecting lungs/kidneys/heart; bodywide response distinct from germs alone; no labels.
Etymology
sepGreekto rot
+sisGreekaction or process

The root means “to rot,” and the Greek noun meant “putrefaction.” The modern medical term names a life-threatening bodily reaction to infection, rather than decomposition itself.

In context

Alila Medical Media0:02
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s excessive response to an infection causes damage to its own tissues.
Sepsis and Septic Shock, Animation.

More examples

  • The report describes organ dysfunction caused by sepsis.
  • Doctors investigate the infection associated with her sepsis.
  • The hospital trains staff to recognize sepsis promptly.

Forms

sepsis