On World Sepsis Day, Doctors Urge Americans to Know the Signs
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com
SATURDAY, Sept. 13, 2025 — On World Sepsis Day, health experts remind Americans that sepsis strikes 1.7 million people in the U.S. each year and causes more than 350,000 deaths.
Yet despite those staggering numbers, many Americans don’t know what sepsis is or how to recognize it before it turns deadly.
“Symptoms can range from rapid breathing, increased rate, fever, chills and sudden drop in blood pressure,” Dr. Faisal Masud, medical director of critical care at Houston Methodist, said in a news release. “It’s important to share your symptoms with a health care professional as soon as possible as early recognition can make a difference between life and death.”
Sepsis is an extreme response to infection. When the immune system overreacts, it triggers widespread inflammation that can damage organs and lead to death. Even a minor infection can set off this dangerous reaction.
Worldwide, sepsis is responsible for 1 in 10 ICU admissions and remains the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals, experts say. And most cases begin outside of the hospital, making it essential to spot early warning signs at home.
Doctors recommend remembering the acronym T.I.M.E.:
T stands for temperature change (such as fever)
I is for infection
M stands for mental status change
E is for extremely ill feeling
“Symptoms can range from rapid breathing, increased rate, fever, chills and sudden drop in blood pressure,” Masud added.
Anyone can develop sepsis, but certain groups face higher risk:
Children under age 1
Elderly individuals
People with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease or cancer
Those with weakened immune systems
Sepsis is a medical emergency. Treatment often includes antibiotics and IV fluids.
“Sharing your symptoms with a medical professional in the emergency room is crucial and even asking the question, ‘do I have sepsis?’ can make a lifesaving difference,” Masud said.
Sources
- Houston Methodist, news release, Sept. 10, 2025
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.