Sepsis occurs when a localized infection causes a systemic response in the body. The infection usually begins with a localized infection somewhere else on the body, such as a wound, surgical site, or infected tooth. If identified and treated promptly, sepsis may be corrected with antibiotics and fluids. However, when the body doesn’t respond to treatment or when the individual doesn’t seek treatment, sepsis may progress to septic shock. Septic shock is fatal in up to 40% to 50% of the individuals. The reason that septic shock is so deadly is that the body’s overwhelming immune system response to the infection may cause damage to the body’s other organ systems. Sepsis may kill through multi-organ failure or a drastic drop in blood pressure.

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