What Are the Three Stages of Sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection triggers widespread inflammation, leading to death in some cases. It progresses through three stages. So, what are the three stages of sepsis? The first stage is sepsis, the second is severe sepsis, and the third stage is septic shock. 

Early detection and medical treatment are critical, especially for nursing home residents who are at a higher risk due to their age and other factors. It’s essential to understand how the condition starts and progresses, as someone can be in the early stages of sepsis and may not even know it.    

First Stage: Sepsis – Early Symptoms and Detection 

The initial stage of sepsis often appears with fever, chills, and a rapid heartbeat. These symptoms can look like other common illnesses, so healthcare providers may miss the early warning signs. Recognizing sepsis in its earliest phase can make a big difference in patient outcomes.  

Symptoms of Sepsis

Fever or Hypothermia (Temperature above 101°F (38.3°C) or below 96.8°F (36°C)): A sudden spike in body temperature, as well as unusually low body temperature, can indicate the early stages of sepsis.

Tachypnea (Rapid breathing, more than 20 breaths per minute): Breathing faster than usual or having difficulty breathing can signal that the body is working hard to fight infection and may point to one of the stages of sepsis.

Tachycardia (Elevated heart rate above 90 beats per minute) An abnormally fast heartbeat could mean the infection is getting worse and placing extra strain on vital organs in the body.

Confirmed Infection Through Positive Blood Cultures: Lab results and blood cultures detecting dangerous bacteria suggest that the infection has progressed.

Always pay attention to these warning signs so that sepsis does not advance to more serious stages of sepsis or septic shock. 

Key Risk Factors for Nursing Home Residents

Nursing facility residents face unique challenges that can leave them vulnerable to infections and increase the likelihood of sepsis. Key risk factors include:

• Elderly individuals with weakened immune systems
• Untreated infections, such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or cellulitis
• Chronic medical conditions like diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or cancer
• Broken bones

If a resident presents two or more of the symptoms of sepsis, immediate medical intervention is needed. 

Severe Sepsis – When Vital Organ Failure Begins

If sepsis is left untreated, there can be a rapid progression to this stage of sepsis, which involves organ dysfunction due to decreased blood flow and systemic inflammation. 

Signs of Severe Sepsis    

• Oliguria (Decreased Urine Output) – A sign of kidney failure
• Altered Mental Status (AMS) – Confusion, disorientation, or difficulty concentrating
• Thrombocytopenia – Low platelet count, increasing the risk of spontaneous bleeding
• Hypoxemia – Rapid or difficult breathing due to oxygen deprivation
• Mottled Skin or Cyanosis – Bluish skin discoloration on extremities
• Loss of Consciousness

Sepsis recovery is possible, but when a nursing facility resident develops these symptoms and staff delays seeking medical help, it can turn into severe sepsis. In these cases, it may indicate neglect or medical malpractice.

Septic Shock – The Most Dangerous Stage

The final and most severe stage of sepsis is septic shock, which carries a high mortality rate. Blood pressure drops dangerously low, leading to the failure of multiple organs.

Symptoms of Septic Shock   

• Profound Hypotension – Systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg, even with fluid resuscitation
• Lactic Acidosis – Elevated lactate levels, indicating severe tissue hypoxia
• Multi-Organ Failure – Dysfunction in kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart
• Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) – Small blood clots or widespread clotting and bleeding
• Severe Respiratory Distress – Inability to maintain adequate oxygen levels
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest or Stroke 

Once severe sepsis or septic shock sets in, the chances that patients die are highly likely without immediate medical attention, often leading patients to the intensive care unit.         

How Does Sepsis Progress?

Understanding the stages of sepsis and how sepsis progresses is critical to early intervention and survival. Residents with untreated infections may progress rapidly from the first stage to severe sepsis and septic shock. Below is an overview of how quickly it can progress through these three stages:    

• Day 1-2: Fever, rapid breathing, and heart rate may indicate early sepsis
• Day 3-5: Organ failure begins if sepsis is not treated
• Day 5+: Blood pressure drops significantly, leading to septic shock 

What Happens If You Survive Sepsis?

Even if a patient is lucky enough to survive sepsis, they may face long-term health complications, known as Post-Sepsis Syndrome (PSS). 

Symptoms of Post-Sepsis Syndrome

Common symptoms of Post-Sepsis Syndrome include: 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) – Persistent exhaustion, even with rest

Neurocognitive Impairment – Memory loss, confusion, difficulty concentrating

Chronic Pain & Joint Stiffness – Persistent inflammation affecting mobility

Immune System Suppression – Increased susceptibility to infections

Psychological Distress – PTSD, vivid nightmares, depression, and anxiety 

For nursing facility residents, Post-Sepsis Syndrome may lead to re-hospitalization.    

Sepsis and Nursing Home Negligence

Sepsis is highly preventable with proper infection control and timely medical intervention. Unfortunately, nursing home residents are disproportionately affected due to neglect and delayed treatment. 

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 to 3 million serious infections occur in long-term care settings every year. Many of these involve sepsis. 

How Nursing Home Neglect Contributes to Sepsis

Nursing home residents can face a serious risk of sepsis when caregivers fail to meet basic standards of care. Below are some of the ways neglect contributes to this condition:

Failure to Monitor Infections: When staff ignore or fail to track conditions like urinary tract infections or pneumonia, a treatable illness can turn into sepsis. Undetected infections can lead to systemic inflammatory response syndrome, which can trigger sepsis.   

Poor Hygiene Practices: Regular handwashing, sanitizing common areas, and properly cleaning medical instruments are essential to lower the presence of harmful bacteria.  

Delay in Calling Emergency Medical Services: Staff members sometimes wait too long to contact outside medical professionals which allows infections to progress.

Understaffing: If there aren’t enough caregivers available, residents might not receive the attention or medical care they need.

Malnutrition and Dehydration: When residents don’t receive proper nutrition or enough fluids, their bodies struggle to fight off infections. This increased vulnerability from malnutrition and dehydration makes them more likely to develop complications like severe sepsis. 

Failure to Treat Bedsores: Bedsores form when residents are left in the same position for long periods without being moved or checked. These open wounds can quickly become infected and lead to severe sepsis and septic shock if not treated.  

If a nursing home fails to prevent or properly treat sepsis, it may be held liable for medical negligence.

What to Do If Your Loved One Develops Sepsis in a Nursing Home

If your family member is suffering from sepsis due to nursing home neglect, you may have grounds for a legal claim. Here are some steps you should take right away: 

1. Seek emergency medical help  
2. Keep records of medical reports, symptoms, and photographs
3. After your loved one receives treatment, you can reach out for a second opinion, which may confirm medical negligence
4. Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to report neglect 
5. Consult a nursing home negligence lawyer

Do You Need Legal Assistance?

When your family member develops sepsis due to poor conditions in a nursing home, you may feel overwhelmed. You could be facing significant medical bills, emotional distress, and a loss of trust in the facility’s care.  

Our Chicago nursing home sepsis lawyers are here to help you with your medical complaints and stand up for your loved one’s rights. Contact the Nursing Home Law Center today by calling (800) 926-7565 or completing our online contact form.