Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. It is difficult to predict, diagnose, and treat. Patients who develop sepsis have an increased risk of complications and death and face higher healthcare costs and longer treatment.

According to today’s CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), it is challenging to understand the true burden of sepsis-related deaths because recent estimates, using different data sources and sepsis definitions, show large variations in death estimates. A reliable sepsis tracking definition that’s based on objective, clinical data is needed to accurately track this complex, clinical syndrome.

To learn more about how CDC is working to increase awareness of the need to prevent and urgently treat sepsis among the public, healthcare providers, and healthcare facilities, visit CDC's sepsis website at http://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/   back...