Risk Factors for Sepsis

Key points

  • Anyone can develop sepsis, but some people are at higher risk.
  • Most people who develop sepsis have at least one underlying medical condition or recent hospitalization.
  • People at higher risk can take steps to get ahead of sepsis.

People at increased risk

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.

People with recent severe illness, surgery or hospitalization

People with recent severe illness, surgery or hospitalization have a higher risk of infection, which can sometimes lead to sepsis. For example, between 10-15% of adult sepsis cases start in the hospital each year.

Keep Reading People with Recent Illness, Surgery, or Hospital Care: What You Should Know About Sepsis 

People who survived sepsis

Many people who survive sepsis recover completely and their lives return to normal. However, sepsis survivors are at higher risk for getting sepsis again. If you feel that you are not getting better, finding it difficult to cope, are continuing to be exhausted, or want more information, call a healthcare professional.

Keep Reading Sepsis Survivors

Conditions that can increase risk

People with chronic conditions, weakened immune systems, or women who are pregnant or postpartum are at higher risk for developing sepsis.1

Cancer

About 1 in 5 sepsis hospitalizations are cancer related.

If you have cancer and are getting some treatments, like chemotherapy, you might be more likely to get an infection. That infection could lead to sepsis.

Getting an infection or developing sepsis is a medical emergency. Either condition can delay your treatment or put you in the hospital.

Keep Reading Cancer, Infection and Sepsis Fact Sheet

Kidney disease

Some people are at higher risk for sepsis, including those with weakened immune systems, such as people with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving chronic dialysis. Persons with ESKD on chronic dialysis have a high risk of infection, which can sometimes lead to sepsis.

Keep Reading People Receiving Chronic Dialysis: What You Need to Know

Women who are pregnant or postpartum

Pregnant and postpartum women are at higher risk of infection due to changes in their immune system and needing medical procedures during their pregnancy.

Be vigilant of specific pregnancy-related conditions that can increase risk of infection. These conditions include your water breaking early, recent Cesarean delivery, or retained tissue from the pregnancy that may place you at higher risk of getting an infection. That infection could lead to sepsis.

Keep Reading Women Who Are Pregnant or Postpartum: Protect Yourself and Your Family from Sepsis 

Prevention

Everyone can take steps to prevent infections that can lead to sepsis - especially those at higher risk. If you or your loved one has an infection that's not getting better or is getting worse, act fast. Ask a healthcare provider, "Could this infection be leading to sepsis?"

Keep Reading Preventing Infections That Can Lead to Sepsis
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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
  1. Malini DeSilva, Marla Sievers, Lourdes Irizarry, Ghinwa Dumyati, Rebecca Pierce, Alexia Zhang, Marion Kainer, Anthony E Fiore, Raymund Dantes, Lauren Epstein, Epidemiology of Sepsis in US Children and Young Adults, Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 10, Issue 5, May 2023, ofad218, https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofad218