Sepsis Causes and Management

Authors

• Penelope Moore, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Internal Medicine

Abstract

Sepsis remains a major global health challenge, contributing substantially to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization. Defined as a dysregulated host immune response leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction, sepsis affects an estimated 1.7 million individuals annually. While biological pathogens—including bacteria, fungi, and viruses—are primary etiologic agents, non-biological factors significantly influence sepsis outcomes. Social determinants of health (SDOH), such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, transportation, and health literacy, along with patient comorbidities, play a critical role in disease progression, timeliness of diagnosis, and overall outcomes. Despite advances in early recognition and treatment, sepsis incidence and mortality rates have remained relatively stagnant, underscoring the complexity of effective management. This review examines both biological and non-biological factors associated with sepsis outcomes, highlighting bacterial pathogens as the most common cause and noting evolving trends in gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. Addressing sepsis effectively requires improved data collection, risk stratification, and targeted interventions that integrate both clinical and social contributors to care.

Key Words: Sepsis; Social Determinants of Health; Health Literacy; Bacterial Pathogens

Recommended Citation

Moore P. Sepsis Causes and Management. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2026; 8(1).