Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to an infection
Definitions
Sepsis: life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection
Septic shock: a more severe form sepsis, technically defined as 'in which circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities are associated with a greater risk of mortality than with sepsis alone'
(the older category of severe sepsis is no longer used; the term SIRS has also fallen out of favour)
Aetiology
Risk factors
Very young (<1 yr) and old (> 70 yrs)
Immunosuppressed - chemo, steroids, biological therapies, recent surgery, drug misuse, splenectomy etc.
Pregnancy (including post partum, post termination, post miscarriage)