Sepsis, the deadly nemesis

Get the deep dive on the medical condition that has claimed millions of lives worldwide

24 Mar 2025

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Ever played laser tag with your friends? You might’ve gotten hit by a teammate in a moment of chaos. This friendly fire is not unlike what happens in the human body affected by sepsis.

Sepsis is a serious medical condition that happens when the immune system’s attempts to fend off an ongoing infection spirals out of control and damages critical organs¹. It often starts with minor infection symptoms before snowballing into a life-threatening medical emergency².

Compared to cerebral stroke or heart disease, this condition is frequently overlooked as a serious health concern. Still, sepsis is no laughing matter. According to the World Health Organization, sepsis has claimed about 11 million deaths and left millions more disabled³. Complications from sepsis have proven fatal for patients with chronic or debilitating conditions, as in the case of boxing legend Muhammad Ali⁴ and the actor Christopher Reeve⁵.

Prevention and early treatment greatly improve the odds of surviving sepsis⁶, and knowing how to detect the signs before it progresses to the acute stage can save lives.

Stopping sepsis in its track

Get the basics on how to spot the symptoms, infection risks to watch out for, and tips on maintaining good hygiene through everyday habits and precautions.

Five key facts about sepsis

While public awareness of sepsis is still relatively low in Singapore, this condition deserves more attention. Here’s why.

Every year, up to 48.9 million people globally are affected by sepsis⁶.
Sepsis accounts for 1 in every 5 deaths worldwide, or about 11 million deaths a year⁶.
Septic shock, the most severe stage of sepsis, can cause death in just 12 hours⁷.
Even with treatment, an estimated 30-40% of patients suffering from septic shock will die⁷.
Pneumonia and urinary tract infections, common causes of sepsis, account for 20% of total mortality cases in Singapore⁸.

The three stages of sepsis

Journey through the progression of sepsis, from the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream to the most severe stage that could lead to multiple organ failure or death.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Stage 1

Your body’s immune system responds aggressively to infection, triggering severe inflammation.

Stage 2

The inflammation worsens rapidly, damaging tissues and critical organs in your body.

Stage 3

Septic shock results in severe blood pressure drop and complications like organ dysfunction or heart failure.

Are you (or your loved ones) at risk?

While no one is immune from sepsis, people who are vulnerable to infection have a higher risk of exposure.

Specifically, a person might be at higher risk⁷ if they are…

Older than 65
Nursing a pregnancy
Young children, newborns, and infants
Immunocompromised, or have weakened immune systems
Patients hospitalised for other medical reasons
Suffering from severe injuries (such as large burns or wounds)
Using catheters, IVs, or breathing tubes

Simple steps to keep sepsis away

Keep your hands clean after handling or preparing food, before and after meals, and after touching common surfaces. If you are attending to a child or sick person, be sure to keep the germs away as they have weaker immune systems.

Infection can happen when bacteria or other pathogens enter your bloodstream through an open wound. To prevent this, use antiseptics to disinfect your wound and keep them covered and clean until healed.

Vaccinations can boost your body’s natural defenses. For infants and children up to age 17, you may refer to the recommended National Childhood Immunisation Schedule¹³.

Studies indicate that patients with conditions associated with chronic inflammation may be at higher risk of sepsis. This includes lung and kidney disease, as well as diabetes and heart disease¹⁴.

Experienced mild symptoms of infection like fever, chills, or shortness of breath? Don’t wait until it worsens, especially if you or a loved one belong to a higher-risk group.

Sepsis is a major cause of medical emergency. For every 1,000 hospitalised patients, an estimated 15 patients will develop sepsis as a complication while receiving medical care⁶. Due to its rapid progression, early treatment and appropriate clinical intervention can determine a person’s chances of survival.

Often, this intervention requires your care provider to consult with clinicians who specialise in sepsis and may involve transfers to the intensive care unit in a different hospital or ward. Depending on the severity of the case, patients suffering from sepsis may also require the support of healthcare professionals to get their health back on track – from physiotherapists, neuropsychologists to dieticians.

Given the speed and complexity of care required to manage sepsis, it is essential to protect yourself financially with a healthcare insurance plan that covers for prolonged hospital stays, changes in medical treatments and post-hospitalisation care. For a comprehensive Medisave-approved coverage that covers up to 95% of your total hospitalisation bill, consider GREAT Supreme Health, complemented with GREAT Total Care.

Sources:

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Sepsis, the deadly nemesis

Get the deep dive on the medical condition that has claimed millions of lives worldwide

Stopping sepsis in its track

Five key facts about sepsis

The three stages of sepsis