How to Lower Your Risk of Sepsis: Prevent Infections and Act Fast

Four ways to lower your risk

Infections can lead to sepsis, a medical emergency. You can cut your risk in four ways:

1. Prevent infections.
2. Practice good hygiene.
3. Know the signs and symptoms.
4. Act fast.

People with cancer have extra steps to take (below).

1. Prevent infections

Ask a healthcare provider what you can do. Steps include:

• Vaccines: get the ones recommended for you. They can prevent some infections that lead to sepsis, or make them less severe.
• Chronic conditions: manage them well — diabetes, lung disease, cancer and kidney disease all raise sepsis risk.
• Masks: consider one around people outside your household when respiratory viruses are circulating widely.

2. Practice good hygiene

• Cuts and wounds: keep them clean and covered until they heal.
• Hands: keep them clean.

3. Know the signs

Someone with sepsis may have one or more of these:

• clammy or sweaty skin;
• confusion or disorientation;
• extreme pain or discomfort;
• fever, shivering, or feeling very cold;
• a high heart rate or a weak pulse;
• shortness of breath.

4. Act fast

If you or someone you care for has an infection that isn't getting better, or is getting worse, get medical care right away. Ask the provider: "Could this infection be leading to sepsis?" — and whether to go to the emergency room. People who might have sepsis need to be assessed and treated immediately.

If you have cancer

Cancer, and treatments such as chemotherapy, can leave the body unable to fight infections. Alongside your provider's care, these help:

• Hands and body: wash your hands often; shower or bathe daily, and use an unscented lotion so skin doesn't dry and crack.
• Mouth: brush teeth and gums with a soft toothbrush, and use a mouthwash against mouth sores if your provider recommends one.
• Food: wash raw fruit and vegetables carefully; cook meat and eggs all the way through; don't share food, cups, utensils, toothbrushes or other personal items.
• Other people: avoid crowds and people who are sick; consider a mask around people outside your household when respiratory viruses are widespread; get the seasonal flu shot as soon as it's available.
• Home: keep household surfaces clean; wear gloves for gardening.
• Pets: wear vinyl or household cleaning gloves to clean up pet urine or feces, then wash your hands right away.

More from CDC

• Get Ahead of Sepsis materials for patients: download or order materials for yourself and your family.
• Risk factors for sepsis: the conditions that make sepsis more likely.

Sources

Based on "Preventing Infections That Can Lead to Sepsis," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. The page's two promotional photographs are not reproduced.