Sepsis Explainer
What exactly is sepsis, and why is it so dangerous?
Sepsis happens as the body tries to fight off an infection. The body releases chemicals into the bloodstream to battle the invading germs — which can lead to a severe drop in blood pressure. That can damage vital organs and, in severe cases, cause them to shut down.
That's known as septic shock, and it can be fatal.
Who is most vulnerable? And what are the signs of sepsis? KHN explains in this video.
KHN's coverage of end-of-life and serious illness issues is supported in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
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 This article was reprinted from khn.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
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