Sepsis itself isn't contagious, but it's a severe response to an infection, so isolation depends on the contagious germ causing the sepsis, requiring precautions like masks or private rooms if the underlying infection (e.g., pneumonia, UTI) spreads via droplets or contact. Healthcare providers use risk assessments and transmission-based precautions (contact, droplet, airborne) based on the specific microbe, alongside strict standard precautions (hand hygiene, PPE) to protect others from the underlying cause.
Sepsis itself isn't contagious — you can't spread it to other people. But you can spread the infections that can cause sepsis.
No, sepsis itself is not contagious.
However, the underlying infections that can lead to sepsis, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections, can sometimes be contagious if they are caused by bacteria or viruses that can be transmitted from one person to another.
Bacterial infections are the most common cause of pediatric sepsis, accounting for over 80% of cases. Common Bacterial Causes: Staphylococcus infections (including Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureas - MRSA) Streptococcal infections (including those causing pneumonia and group B strep)
Sepsis can be caused by any type of infection: bacterial, viral, fungal, or even parasitic. Sepsis prevention is only possible by preventing infections with good and consistent hygiene and avoiding people with infections. Other infections can be prevented through the use of vaccinations.
The research discussed here includes the following subset of the core measure sepsis bundle, the components of which must be completed within 3 hours of presentation time: measure serum lactate level, obtain blood cultures before administration of antibiotics, and administer broad spectrum antibiotics.
The first step to preventing infections is use of personal protective equipment, or PPE. PPE not only protects you from the patient, but also protects the patient from any pathogens you may be carrying. Use disposable gloves on every call.
This includes bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Those that more commonly cause sepsis include infections of: Lungs, such as pneumonia. Kidney, bladder and other parts of the urinary system.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
A baby or young child has any of these symptoms of sepsis: blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
You cannot catch sepsis from another person. It happens when your body overreacts to an infection.
You may need to stay in hospital for several weeks.
The evidence behind the “golden hour” protocol
The main finding was that patients who received antibiotics within the first hour of sepsis recognition had a 79.9% chance of survival. It was also found that with every additional hour, the chance of survival decreased by 7.6%.
Is sepsis contagious? Sepsis itself is not contagious, but some of the infections that lead to sepsis (such as COVID-19 and influenza) can be spread from person to person.
Treatment requires urgent medical care, usually in an intensive care unit in a hospital, and includes careful monitoring of vital signs and often antibiotics. Early and frequent reassessment of patients with sepsis should be undertaken to determine the appropriate duration and type of therapy.
The original article stated that 16% of patients who “met sepsis criteria” were discharged from the ED, and 66% of those had urinary tract infections. The 30-day mortality for this cohort was 0.9% as opposed to 8.3% for patients admitted to the hospital.
The Sepsis Six consists of three diagnostic and three therapeutic steps – all to be delivered within one hour of the initial diagnosis of sepsis: Titrate oxygen to a saturation target of 94% Take blood cultures and consider source control. Administer empiric intravenous antibiotics.
Because sepsis can happen quickly, it is important to be alert for early signs. The most common signs include the following: Source of infection (cough, sore throat, abdominal pain, pain with urination) and fevers. High heart rate.
Screening for sepsis
The sepsis syndrome triad includes infection, the patient's individual response to that infection, and the resulting organ dysfunction.
Certain age groups (such as adults 65 or older and children younger than one), people with chronic conditions (diabetes and lung disease), people with weakened immune systems and more are at higher risk for developing sepsis.
Kidney failure can also be a result of sepsis. Sepsis can overwhelm the body. This can cause vital organs to shut down. This usually starts with the kidneys.
[13, 14] Widespread use of antibiotics not only leads to selection for drug resistance and increases risk for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), but also may increase a patient's risk for later development of sepsis.
If you are diagnosed with sepsis, it is important that you receive prompt treatment which would include intravenous (IV) antibiotics (antibiotics which go directly into your vein) and Intravenous (IV) fluids (often called “a drip”). This will most likely need to be done in hospital.
You get sepsis when your body has an extreme, damaging reaction to an infection (bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic), causing its own immune response to harm tissues and organs, leading to potential organ failure; it starts with any infection, like pneumonia, UTI, or a skin wound, and becomes a medical emergency when the body's defense system overreacts.