Summary

• Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body damages its own tissues and organs in response to an infection.
• Immediate treatment in hospital is vital.
• Sepsis often needs to be treated in the intensive care unit, where you can be very closely monitored.
• If you’re unsure whether it's sepsis, seek medical attention as quickly as possible.

These key facts are from healthdirect.gov.au (accessed 29 Jan 2025). Visit the healthdirect website for more information about sepsis.

Relevant Tests

If your doctor suspects you have sepsis, they may request one or more tests.

If you are diagnosed with sepsis, some of these tests will be used to monitor and manage your condition.

Find information about specific tests:

• Blood culture
• Urine culture
• C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Full blood count
• Procalcitonin