Sepsis is the body’s overreaction to an infection where, instead of fighting an infection, the immune system attacks the body’s own organs and tissues.

Sepsis can occur as a result of any infection, from a small cut or insect bite, to a chest or urinary tract infection (UTI). It is more common than heart attacks and kills more people each year than bowel, breast and prostate cancer and road accidents combined (Fleischmann et al, 2016).