Is Sepsis Contagious?
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross B...
Key Takeaways
- Sepsis is a life‑threatening response to infection, not a contagious disease itself; the underlying bacterial, viral or fungal infections that trigger it can be spread from person to person.
- Early signs such as fever, rapid heart rate, confusion, shortness of breath or a rash require immediate medical attention, as severe sepsis or septic shock can be fatal within hours.
- Prevention focuses on good hygiene, timely vaccination, proper wound care and prompt treatment of infections, especially for high‑risk groups like older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition that requires urgent treatment.
This condition is associated with various types of infections, but is sepsis contagious? Here’s what to know.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is caused by an extreme response to an infection, and it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death, according to the Cleveland Clinic. If you have an infection, your immune system steps up to fight it. Sepsis occurs when your body stops fighting the infection, which starts to damage tissue and leads to inflammation.
Symptoms of sepsis include:
- A skin rash
- Low energy
- Increased heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Fever
- Chills
- Low blood pressure
- Low body temperature
- Pain
If you experience symptoms of sepsis, seek immediate and urgent medical treatment. Most people survive mild cases of sepsis; up to 40% of people who go into the most severe form of sepsis, called septic shock, die from the condition. Septic shock can cause death in 12 hours.
About 1.7 million Americans have sepsis annually. Those who are at higher risk of sepsis include older adults, pregnant women, those who are hospitalized for any reason and people with:
- Weakened immune systems
- Chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer and kidney disease
- Severe wounds or burns
- An IV or catheter
Is sepsis contagious?
Sepsis is not contagious, but it is caused by bacterial, viral or fungal infections that can be contagious, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most common cause of sepsis is severe bacterial infection, such as:
- Pneumonia
- Urinary tract infection
- Skin infection
- Gut infection such as gallbladder inflammation or appendicitis
Many types of bacterial infections are contagious, including strep throat, pertussis and meningococcal disease. Bacteria can be transferred from person to person by physical touch, a bug bite or contaminated food, water or surfaces. Most of the time, bacteria aren’t harmful or your body can deal with them. The bacteria getting into your blood can cause sepsis.
Viral and fungal infections are less common causes of sepsis, but they can lead to the health condition. Viruses such as influenza are highly contagious. A severe bout of the flu, for example, could lead to pneumonia, which could in turn become septic. Fungal infections, like bacterial ones, can spread from person to person and cause illness, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Certain types of deep fungal infections can cause infection in your blood, brain or spinal cord and lead to severe illness that could become septic.
Treating and preventing sepsis
Typically, a sepsis diagnosis requires treatment in the intensive care unit. Treatments for the condition include:
- Antibiotics for bacterial infection
- Intravenous fluids to maintain blood flow to organs and maintain healthy blood pressure
- Vasopressors to tighten blood vessels
- Supportive care if you have organ failure
Even after treatment, some people may have long-term complications from sepsis. Prevention is key. Here are a few things you can do to prevent sepsis:
- Practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing with soap and water
- Practice good hygiene with cuts and wounds
- Get recommended vaccinations
- Get annual physicals and manage chronic conditions
- Get prompt medical treatment for infections
- Talk to your primary care provider about your risk of sepsis
Image: Getty Images
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