Sepsis Symptoms in Nursing Homes
Sepsis develops when viral, fungal, or bacterial infections trigger a chain reaction throughout the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that “sepsis happens when infections the patient already has trigger a chain reaction throughout the body.” Most commonly, these infections originate in the respiratory system, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, or skin.
Annually, 1.7 million U.S. adults develop sepsis, with 350,000 dying or entering hospice care. Without rapid treatment, sepsis can cause organ failure, tissue damage, and death. The condition was historically called blood poisoning and occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream, leading to septicemia.
Early sepsis symptoms include fever, drops in blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and difficulty breathing. As the condition progresses, patients may experience extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Survivors may develop post-sepsis syndrome, characterized by long-term fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive difficulties.
Is Sepsis Contagious?
No, sepsis itself is not contagious. However, the underlying bacterial, viral, or fungal infections that cause sepsis may be transmissible to other people.
What Are the Three Stages of Sepsis?
Sepsis progresses through three distinct stages:
Stage 1: Sepsis
The first stage involves systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), where the body overreacts to a harmful stressor. Symptoms include fever, drops in blood pressure, fast heart rate, and trouble breathing.
Stage 2: Severe Sepsis
The second stage occurs when the infection spreads to other body parts and causes organ failure. Warning signs include extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Stage 3: Septic Shock
The third stage is the most severe, often requiring intensive care unit treatment. Low blood pressure leads to sudden organ failure, causing significant mental awareness decline, rapid heart rate, and breathing difficulty.
How Dangerous Is Sepsis?
According to 2024 data from the Sepsis Alliance, “nursing home residents face significantly higher risks of sepsis, being over six times more likely to present with the condition in emergency departments compared to non-residents.”
For older adult sepsis survivors, only 54% can return directly home, while 37% require discharge to skilled nursing facilities or other non-acute healthcare settings. ICU mortality rates for older adults remain high at 30% to 60%, depending on age and comorbidities. Long-term care facilities reported a 10.6% rise in overall infection reports in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Who Is Most at Risk for Developing Sepsis?
Older adults aged 65 and above face the highest risk, accounting for approximately 75% of all sepsis-related deaths in the United States. Nursing home residents face heightened vulnerability due to chronic conditions and frequent healthcare interactions. Those with compromised immune systems, individuals recovering from severe illnesses, and children under one year of age are also at elevated risk. People with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease, and cancer face increased susceptibility.
How Can Sepsis Be Prevented?
Prevention focuses on good hygiene and preventive care, including regular hand washing, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and obtaining recommended vaccinations. Maintaining control of chronic health conditions through regular check-ups and treatments is also critical. Early recognition of sepsis signs, prompt diagnosis, and medical intervention help reduce the risk of complications and long-term damage.
What Are the Major Causes of Sepsis?
The major causes include bacterial and viral infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin or wound infections. These occur when bacteria enter the body through broken skin or invasive medical procedures. Certain fungi can also lead to sepsis if they enter the bloodstream.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Sepsis?
Left untreated, sepsis can cause severe health problems including tissue damage, organ failure, septic shock, and death. Long-term effects may include permanent organ dysfunction, fatigue, weakness, memory and concentration issues, and depression.
What Is the Treatment for Sepsis?
Sepsis treatment focuses on addressing the underlying infection, providing fluids and oxygen to support organ function, and using antibiotics or other medications to fight the infection. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove infected tissue or drain an abscess.
Why Are Nursing Home Residents Susceptible to Sepsis?
Nursing home residents are more vulnerable to severe sepsis due to weakened immune systems, poor hygiene, and limited access to medical care. The presence of critically ill patients with chronic infectious diseases further increases the risk of viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. When nursing home staff fail to monitor residents closely or respond promptly to signs of infection, the consequences can be life-threatening — and may constitute negligence under Illinois law.
Nursing Homes and Sepsis Prevention
A comprehensive nursing home sepsis program includes vigilant monitoring of vital signs and subtle changes in residents, strong hygiene practices to prevent infections, prompt medical care with rapid response plans, and comprehensive staff training to recognize early signs using tools like the Sepsis Prevention Assessment Tool (SPAT) and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA).
Nursing homes in Illinois are required to meet established standards of care. When facilities fail to implement adequate infection control protocols, monitor residents for early sepsis symptoms, or respond promptly to warning signs, they may be held legally accountable for the harm that results.
What Should Nursing Home Visitors Do to Prevent Sepsis?
Visitors play an important role in protecting their loved ones. Visitors should wash hands before and after visits, stay home when sick, avoid contact with sick individuals, and limit physical contact with residents with weakened immune systems. Visitors should also watch for changes in their loved one’s condition to ensure quick medical attention if sepsis develops. Signs to watch for include sudden confusion, pale or discolored skin, difficulty breathing, and an unusually low or high body temperature.
What Should I Do If My Loved One Gets Sepsis in a Nursing Home?
If your loved one is experiencing sepsis in a nursing home, seek immediate medical care to prevent worsening. Document any observations about the facility’s conditions, staff responsiveness, and your loved one’s care history. Report any signs of neglect or abuse to the appropriate Illinois state authorities.
Sepsis that develops due to inadequate nursing home care may be grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Families deserve answers when their loved ones are harmed by neglect, and nursing homes must be held accountable for preventable failures.
Contact Riz Injury Law — Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
If your loved one developed sepsis as a result of nursing home neglect or abuse in Illinois, the attorneys at Riz Injury Law are ready to help. We represent families throughout Chicago and the surrounding area, fighting for the compensation they deserve when negligent facilities put vulnerable residents at risk.
Contact Riz Injury Law today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Our team will review the facts of your situation, explain your legal options, and stand by your side every step of the way. You pay nothing unless we win.
Injured and have questions? The attorneys at Riz Injury Law offer free consultations — call (312) 546-5109.