HealthJuly 17, 2026
sepsis
/ˈsɛpsɪs/
Definition
A severe, life-threatening bodily reaction to an infection that can lead to organ failure and death.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'sēpsis', meaning 'make rot' or 'putrefaction'. It entered medical English in the 19th century to describe the pathological condition caused by the presence of harmful microorganisms in the blood.
In the news
In the article, sepsis is mentioned as a potential fatal outcome of severe, drug-resistant bacterial bloodstream infections. It serves to emphasize the life-threatening consequences of antimicrobial resistance.
Antimicrobial resistance
Read the full article ↗World Health Organization (WHO)