Weakened immune defense

Age over 60

Chronic conditions, e.g. of the lung, liver, kidney, heart, or cancer, rheumatism, diabetes, HIV/AIDS

Newborns, preterm infants, children less than 1 year old

Asplenia

Lack of vaccination, e.g. against pneumococcus, influenza, COVID-19

Malnutrition

Alcohol / drug abuse

Food poisoning suspected

Recent surgery (last 4 weeks)

Mothers after childbirth

Skin / soft tissue injury

Pressure ulcers (pressure sores, decubitus)

Catheters (venous, urinary, port systems)

Artificial heart valves, joint or endoprostheses

Insect / tick bites

Recent long-distance travel (e.g. to tropical countries)

Sepsis is always caused by an infection. Signs for an infection:

Fever/chills

Cough

Shortness of breath, dyspnea

Sore throat

Abdominal pain

Abdominal tension (muscle guarding)

Burning/pain during urination / dysuria

Cloudy urine

Flank pain

Earache

Stiff neck

Severe headache

Redness of skin, skin is hot to the touch

Abscesses, boils (pus accumulations)

Pain in the mouth or jaw

Back pain (abscess)

Feeling sick like never before

Altered heart rate: <50 or >120/min

Cold, clammy, mottled skin

Extreme pain

Sudden confusion, aphasia, sudden change of behavior

Dyspnea, respiration rate > 20/min

Low systolic blood pressure <100