Sepsis is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is not contagious. It is a life-threatening medical emergency that arises when the body’s defense system responds overwhelmingly to an existing infection. Sepsis represents a systemic, dysregulated response rather than a pathogen passed directly between people.
Defining Sepsis: The Body’s Overreaction
Sepsis is best defined as a potentially life-threatening condition resulting from the body’s extreme, uncontrolled reaction to an infection. When a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection takes hold, the immune system launches a response to fight the invading pathogens. In sepsis, however, this protective response spirals out of control, causing widespread inflammation throughout the body.
Instead of only targeting the infection, the immune system begins to damage the body’s own tissues and organs. This systemic inflammation can cause blood vessels to become leaky and may lead to small blood clots. As a result, blood flow to vital organs like the kidneys, heart, and brain is impaired, starving them of necessary oxygen and nutrients. When this process causes significant organ dysfunction, the condition is classified as sepsis. If blood pressure drops dangerously low, it can progress to septic shock, which carries a high risk of death.
Common Sources of Infection That Trigger Sepsis
Any type of infection can potentially lead to sepsis, but certain sites in the body are more common starting points than others. Infections in the lungs, most frequently pneumonia, are the leading cause of sepsis in adults. These respiratory infections account for a significant percentage of all sepsis cases annually.
Infections of the urinary tract, such as kidney or bladder infections, are also a frequent cause of the systemic response. Other common points of origin include infections within the abdominal cavity, like appendicitis or peritonitis, and skin or soft tissue infections, such as cellulitis. Sepsis is a complication of an existing infection, not a transmissible disease itself. The infectious agent is what might be passed between individuals, but the subsequent septic reaction is unique to the infected host.
Clarifying the Link Between STIs and Sepsis Risk
While sepsis cannot be sexually transmitted, the infections that cause it can be, including those acquired through sexual contact. A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a localized infection caused by a pathogen that can be passed via sexual fluids or skin-to-skin contact. If an STI is left untreated, the localized infection can progress, spread, and eventually trigger the body’s dangerous septic response.
Untreated bacterial STIs, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, can ascend the female reproductive tract. This upward spread of bacteria can cause a severe infection known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, and it presents a risk because it is a severe localized infection. If bacteria from PID enter the bloodstream, they can initiate the inflammatory cascade that results in sepsis. The STI is the initial cause of the infection, but sepsis is the systemic consequence of the body failing to contain it.
Recognizing Sepsis Symptoms and Seeking Emergency Care
Recognizing the signs of sepsis and seeking immediate medical attention is important, as the condition can progress rapidly. Symptoms often appear quickly, especially if a person has a known infection or recently felt unwell. A person experiencing sepsis may have an unusually high or low body temperature, or develop shivering and clammy skin.
Other signs include mental decline, such as confusion, disorientation, or difficulty waking up. Physical symptoms often involve a high heart rate, rapid breathing, and a feeling of extreme pain or discomfort. If these signs are present, especially following an infection, go to an emergency department immediately and specifically state the concern for sepsis. The risk of death increases significantly for every hour that treatment is delayed.