However, sepsis is not actually poisoning at all. The condition occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. The immune system attacks the organs of the body and the patient develops organ failure.

A new study of 300,000 sepsis admissions has found that the condition is more prevalent than previously thought. However, many more patients survive, and the increase in cases is largely due to more people developing sepsis repeatedly, rather than dying the first time they contract it.

"Each year, 250 of 100,000 people in Norway develop sepsis for the first time," says Lise Tuset Gustad, a researcher at NTNU, Nord University and Levanger Hospital.

The researchers conducted a national registry study, which means the quality of the data is very strong. As far as the researchers are aware, this is the first time a nationwide sepsis study has been carried out over such a long period, and that includes all patients admitted to hospital rather than only those requiring intensive care.

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-09-people-sepsis-previously-thought-survive.html