SEPSIS INFORMATION GUIDE
SEPSIS AND
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
There has been much in the news over the past few years
about antibiotic resistance, infections caused by bacteria
that cannot be treated with traditional antibiotics. Antibiotic
resistance is a concern to those who work with patients
who have infections because infections can trigger sepsis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
antibiotic resistance is an increasingly serious threat to
global public health.
Sometimes mistakenly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the
body’s often deadly response to infection or injury. Sepsis
kills and disables millions and requires early suspicion and
rapid treatment for survival.
Sepsis and septic shock can result from an infection
anywhere in the body, such as pneumonia and urinary
tract infections, and viral infections like the flu, as well as
from seemingly innocent injuries, like infected bug bites or
scratches. Worldwide, one-third of people who develop
sepsis die. Many who do survive are left with life-changing
effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
chronic pain and fatigue, organ dysfunction (organs don’t
work properly), or amputations.
WHAT ANTIBIOTICS DO
Most bacteria that we are exposed to every day are
harmless. They are everywhere, including on our skin, in
our mouth, and in our gut. But, some bacteria are harmful
if they get inside the body, where they cause an infection
that can lead to death if left untreated. For example, before
antibiotics were developed, strep throat was often a fatal
disease, and up to 90% of children who developed bacterial
meningitis died.
SEPSIS INFORMATION GUIDE – SEPSIS AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Antibiotics treat or stop infections in one of two ways: they
either kill the bacteria outright or they stop their ability
to reproduce, so that they stop spreading and causing
further harm. If an illness is caused by a virus or a fungus,
antibiotics have no effect. There are, however, anti-viral and
anti-fungal drugs available that may be appropriate. As a
group, all of these drugs are referred to as anti-microbial
agents or anti-microbial drugs.
Superbugs: How Bacteria Become Antibiotic Resistant
Not all types of antibiotics can kill all types of bacteria,
so researchers continue to look for newer and better
antibiotics to try to treat all types of infections. The most
commonly known “superbug,” or antibiotic-resistant
bacteria is MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus, first found in 1961. As the years passed, MRSA
became resistant to the most commonly used antibiotics:
penicillin, methicillin, tetracycline, and erythromycin. A
newer drug, vancomycin, did treat MRSA, but it was
expensive and doctors tried to use vancomycin sparingly to
reduce the risk of MRSA mutating again. In 2002, VRSA –
vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, was found.
Enterococcus, a common cause of urinary tract infections,
often becomes resistant to vancomycin and is called
vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus or VRE.
The race for new antibiotics continues, but there is a real
concern that bacteria will mutate and we will not yet have
an effective treatment. It is essential to educate people
about the proper use of antibiotics.
Slowing Down Development of Antibiotic-Resistant Temperature: Higher or lower
Bacteria than normal

Alexander Fleming, the Scottish physician who discovered Infection: May have signs and symptoms
penicillin, predicted that using too little or too short a course of an infection
of antibiotics for a specific infection may result in bacteria
mutating and becoming resistant. The reverse can happen
Mental Decline: Confused, sleepy,
as well – resistance can result from antibiotics being used
for longer than necessary. In addition, using any type of
difficult to rouse
antibiotic inappropriately, such as taking one to treat a viral
Extremely Ill: “I feel like I might die,”
TM

infection or not taking a prescription properly, can also

cause superbugs to develop. Everyone, from members of severe pain or discomfort
the general public to healthcare professionals, has a role to
play in reducing antibiotic resistance.
What should I do if I think a loved one or I have sepsis?
You can help by:
If you suspect sepsis, call 9-1-1 or go to a hospital and tell
your medical professional, “I AM CONCERNED ABOUT
• Not insisting your doctor or nurse practitioner give an
SEPSIS.” The treatment for sepsis is fluids and antibiotics,
antibiotic for illnesses not caused by bacteria, such
among other therapies. Sepsis experts are worried about
as influenza, a cold, or a sore throat (unless it is strep
antibiotic resistance. They support measures to prevent
throat).
resistance, because controlling infection with appropriate
• Never taking an antibiotic prescription that was not
antibiotics is the cornerstone of sepsis treatment. Without
prescribed for you. In other words, don’t take a relative’s
adequate antibiotics to treat patients, the future of sepsis
or friend’s antibiotic because you think you may have
care would be grim. We must slow down the growth of
the same infection.
superbugs so that we can successfully continue to treat
• Completing your prescription as directed, including
bacterial infections and save lives of those who have sepsis.
number of times of day, the correct dosage, in the
correct way, for the full length of time, regardless of
how well you may feel, unless otherwise directed by SEPSIS IS A MEDICAL
your doctor.
• Practicing infection prevention by thorough and EMERGENCY. IF YOU SUSPECT
frequent hand washing, avoiding people who have SEPSIS, CALL 9-1-1 OR GO TO
infections, and getting recommended vaccinations.
A HOSPITAL RIGHT AWAY.
WHAT IS SEPSIS?
SEPSIS is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening To learn more about sepsis, or to
response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage,
organ failure, and death.
read tributes and survivor stories,
visit us online at Sepsis.org
What are the signs and symptoms of sepsis?

Sepsis is a toxic response to an infection. There is no single

sign or symptom of sepsis. It is, rather, a combination of
symptoms. Symptoms can include ANY of the following:

Sepsis Information Guides are supported in part by an educational grant from bioMérieux, Inc.

The information in this pamphlet is intended for educational purposes only. Sepsis Alliance does not represent or guarantee that this information is
applicable to any specific patient’s care or treatment. The educational content here does not constitute medical advice from a physician and is not to be
used as a substitute for treatment or advice from a practicing physician or other healthcare provider. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their
physician or healthcare provider regarding any questions about whether the information in this pamphlet might apply to their individual treatment or care.

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