Is sepsis contagious?
Disease description:
Recently, I heard that my aunt has been diagnosed with sepsis, and I’m concerned about whether it’s contagious. Could you please clarify: is sepsis contagious?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Guoqiang
In general, sepsis is not contagious. Sepsis typically develops when bacterial, fungal, or viral infections are not promptly controlled, leading to dysregulated inflammatory responses; the causative pathogens then disseminate via the bloodstream, resulting in systemic infection. Systemic infection generally poses a risk only to the affected individual—the causative pathogens are not transmitted through close contact or respiratory droplets.
