Is Sepsis Contagious? Facts, Risk Factors, & Prevention Strategies

Your immune system is like your body’s personal defense team, protecting you from harmful germs like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When it’s working well, it keeps you healthy. But if your immune system is weak—maybe due to conditions like diabetes, HIV, or treatments like chemotherapy—it can’t fight off infections as easily. This makes you more likely to get serious illnesses, and even small infections can turn into something dangerous, like sepsis.

Sepsis is a very serious condition that impacts over 1.7 million people in the U.S. each year and causes 350,000 deaths. The CDC reports that one in three people who die in hospitals have sepsis. That’s why it’s so important to understand what sepsis is and how to stop it early. Knowing what causes it and how to prevent it could actually save lives.

What Is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a dangerous condition that happens when your body has a strong reaction to an infection. Instead of helping, your immune system goes into overdrive and releases chemicals that cause inflammation throughout your body. This can create blood clots, make blood vessels leak, and damage important organs like your lungs, kidneys, or heart. If sepsis isn’t treated quickly, it can lead to septic shock, which is when your blood pressure drops dangerously low and organs start to fail. It’s life-threatening, so getting help fast is critical.

Some people are at higher risk of getting sepsis, including:

• Babies and young children whose immune systems aren’t fully developed
• Older adults, as their immune systems weaken with age
• People with chronic health problems like diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer
• Individuals with compromised immune systems as a result of HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, or specific drugs
• People in recovery from serious burns, wounds, or operations

Because sepsis shares symptoms with other illnesses, making diagnosis more difficult, it is imperative to identify its symptoms as soon as possible. Symptoms to watch for include:

• Fever, chills, or feeling cold
• Fast breathing or heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Confusion or trouble staying alert
• Pale or clammy skin
• Severe pain or discomfort

How Do People Get Sepsis & Is It Contagious or Infectious?

Sepsis is the result of a severe and potentially fatal immune response to an infection. Sepsis is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from another person like you would a cold or the flu. It’s also not considered an infectious disease. Instead, sepsis develops because of how your body responds to an infection already in your system.

How Does Sepsis Start?

It usually begins with an infection in one part of the body. Some common examples include:

• Lung infections, like pneumonia
• Urinary tract infections affecting the bladder or kidneys
• Skin infections, like cellulitis
• Abdominal infections, such as appendicitis or gallbladder inflammation

If the infection isn’t treated properly, it can get worse. The germs that caused the original infection—like bacteria, viruses, or fungi—might enter your bloodstream. Once in the blood, they spread to other parts of your body, and your immune system may overreact. Instead of fighting the infection normally, it causes widespread inflammation that leads to sepsis.

Ways to Prevent Sepsis

You can lower your chances of getting sepsis by taking steps to prevent infections and staying on top of your health. Here are some easy ways to protect yourself:

1. Keep Your Hands and Wounds Clean

• Wash your hands regularly. Use soap and water, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, or when you’re out in public.
• Care for cuts and scrapes. Clean any wound immediately, apply an antiseptic, and cover it with a clean bandage.
• Don’t share personal items. Things like razors and towels can carry germs, so it’s best to keep them to yourself.

2. Get Your Vaccines

• Stay up to date on vaccines like the flu shot, COVID-19, and pneumonia to reduce the risk of serious infections.
• Vaccinate kids as recommended to protect their immune system while it’s developing.

3. Treat Infections Early

• See a doctor if you feel unwell. Don’t ignore signs of infections like fever or swelling.
• Finish your medicine. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take them all even if you start feeling better. This prevents infections from coming back stronger.

4. Manage Health Conditions

• Take care of illnesses like diabetes or asthma by following your doctor’s plan. Chronic conditions make your body weaker against infections.

5. Stay Healthy Overall

• Eat well. Good food helps your immune system work better. Focus on fruits, veggies, and lean proteins.
• Exercise regularly. Staying active keeps your body strong.
• Sleep well. Get enough rest every night because tiredness can weaken your immunity.

The Importance of Immediate Treatment

Sepsis is a severe medical emergency that requires immediate attention. There is a greater chance of serious issues like organ failure or septic shock the longer it is left untreated. If you or someone else has an infection and shows severe symptoms—like a high fever, trouble breathing, or confusion—it’s critical to see a doctor right away. Getting treated early with medicines like antibiotics and fluids can make recovery much more likely.

Sepsis isn’t something you can catch from someone else, but it often comes from infections that weren’t treated properly. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to infections, get them treated early, and know the warning signs of sepsis. Acting fast can save lives. Every second counts, so don’t wait to get the care you need!