NEW YORK STATE — The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) warn people of all ages about the risks of sepsis, a severe and life-threatening, yet often preventable condition.
While anyone can develop sepsis, older adults are among those at highest risk.
According to the Sepsis Alliance, sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It occurs when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.
Most cases of sepsis start before a patient goes to the hospital. In fact, an estimated 87 percent of sepsis cases occur in the community.
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.
NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “It is critical to know the signs and symptoms, many of which can appear similar to the flu or RSV. Unfortunately, with sepsis, you cannot wait because undiagnosed sepsis can be life-threatening in a matter of hours. If you see the signs and symptoms of sepsis—such as fever, extreme pain, high heart rate, shortness of breath, confusion and clammy or sweaty skin—immediately seek medical help. While we’ve come a long way in raising awareness about this very serious condition, most people are still unfamiliar with sepsis, which claims a life every 90 seconds.”
“Sepsis, a serious infection in someone’s bloodstream, is a life-threatening medical emergency,” New York State health commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “People who are older, very young, pregnant or have underlying medical conditions are at higher risk.”
According to the NYSDOH, severe sepsis and septic shock affect approximately 73,000 adults and 600 children in New York each year. Nationally, at least 1.7 million adults will develop sepsis. At least 350,000 adults who develop sepsis die during their hospitalization or are discharged to hospice. One in three people who dies in a hospital had sepsis during that hospitalization.
Among other facts provided by Sepsis Alliance:

Every 90 seconds someone in the U.S. dies of sepsis.
Sepsis claims the lives of more children than cancer—18 children each day.
Sepsis is the primary driver of readmission to a hospital (30-day readmissions).
Risk factors
While anyone can develop sepsis, NYSDOH says those at higher risk include:
Adults 65 years of age or older.
Children younger than one year of age.
People with weakened immune systems.
People with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer or kidney disease.
People with recent severe illness or hospitalization.
People who have had sepsis before.
Know sepsis when you see it
It is crucial you get medical care right away if you have an infection that is not getting better or is getting worse. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a person with sepsis might have one or more signs or symptoms:
High heart rate or weak pulse
Confusion or disorientation
Extreme pain or discomfort
Fever, shivering or feeling very cold
Shortness of breath
Clammy or sweaty skin
To learn more about sepsis, visit www.health.ny.gov/diseases/conditions/sepsis/.