What Are the 3 Stages of Sepsis?

What are the 3 stages of sepsis, and why is it so dangerous, especially in nursing homes?

Sepsis is a critical health concern, especially among nursing home residents. According to the Sepsis Alliance, approximately 350,000 people die from sepsis each year in the US. Due to the rapid progression of sepsis, early recognition and action are essential. When residents fail to receive treatment in time, the consequences can be fatal.

If your loved one suffered from sepsis in a facility, a Chicago nursing home sepsis lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue justice.

What is Sepsis, and Why is it a Life-Threatening Emergency in Chicago Nursing Homes?

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection, causing widespread inflammation that can lead to rapid deterioration and organ failure. In nursing homes, residents are at higher risk due to age, underlying health conditions, and weakened immune systems.

Our Chicago nursing home infection attorney team has found that these conditions can progress quickly in nursing homes, and delays in recognizing symptoms or delivering proper care increase the danger. Prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment are critical to improving survival and preventing long-term complications.

The 3 Stages of Sepsis

Understanding the three stages of sepsis is vital for families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, especially in nursing home settings where early signs are often missed. The three stages reflect how quickly a minor infection can spiral into a medical emergency and become life-threatening. 

Stage 1: Sepsis (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)

This initial stage occurs when the body’s response to a bacterial infection causes inflammation throughout the body. Symptoms include fever or low body temperature, rapid breathing, and an increased heart rate. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent progression.​

Stage 2: Severe Sepsis

At this stage, sepsis leads to organ shutdown. Signs include difficulty breathing, low urine output, and an altered mental state. Immediate medical intervention is necessary to address these complications.​

Stage 3: Septic Shock

This severe stage is characterized by extremely low blood pressure that doesn’t respond to fluid replacement. It can result in multiple organ failure and has a high death rate. Patients typically require intensive care unit admission.

If a loved one begins to show symptoms, it’s critical to seek treatment immediately and head to the emergency room to prevent the condition from progressing.

Recognizing the Symptoms as Sepsis Progresses

Sepsis usually begins with subtle changes but can quickly become a life-threatening condition. Family members and caregivers should closely observe patients for physical and cognitive changes that may indicate sepsis or septic shock.

Key warning signs include:

• Rapid breathing – A respiratory rate over 20 breaths per minute may signal systemic infection and inflammation.
• Low blood pressure – A sudden drop in blood pressure can indicate septic shock and requires immediate medical intervention.
• Confusion or disorientation – An altered mental state is a common onset symptom of other issues from sepsis.
• Low urine output – Decreased urine output can be a sign of kidney impairment, especially in severe sepsis.
• Fever or low body temperature—Both high and abnormally low temperatures can indicate that the body’s immune system response is compromised.

Testing and Diagnosis for Sepsis

When symptoms suggest sepsis, prompt testing is vital. Healthcare providers usually order blood cultures to identify the bacterial source and guide antibiotic treatment. Additional tests may check for elevated lactate levels, which signal tissue damage and poor circulation. 

Clinicians also monitor urine output closely, as reduced output can indicate kidney distress. In some cases, abdominal pain may also point to an underlying infection that has triggered sepsis. 

Common Infections Leading to Sepsis in Nursing Home Residents

Certain infections can rapidly progress through the three stages of sepsis. In elderly patients, especially those with limited mobility or ongoing medical issues, early identification and immediate medical attention are critical to prevent escalation.

Common infection triggers include:

• Urinary tract infection – Frequently linked to catheter use in bedbound patients
• Pneumonia and respiratory infections – High risk in residents with respiratory tubes or reduced mobility
• Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis) – A bacterial infection often caused by untreated wounds or ulcers
• Infected bedsores – Pressure ulcers caused by poor repositioning or neglect
• Post-surgical wound infections – Can develop after discharge or on-site procedures
• Viral infections – Less common, but still a concern in those with compromised health

If left untreated, these conditions can result in blood poisoning and progress through all three stages of sepsis, including severe sepsis and septic shock.

Post-Sepsis Syndrome

Many survivors face ongoing health problems long after the initial infection has resolved. Known as post-sepsis syndrome, these complications can include fatigue, memory loss, chronic pain, and difficulty concentrating. Reduced blood flow during sepsis can cause long-term damage.

As the sepsis progresses, some patients experience psychological effects such as anxiety or depression. Families should be aware of post-sepsis syndrome and seek appropriate follow-up care and rehabilitation. Early support may help reduce the long-term impact of post-sepsis syndrome on quality of life.

Symptoms of Septic Shock

The most dangerous stage of sepsis brings serious warning signs. Common symptoms of septic shock include dangerously low blood pressure, cold or mottled skin, difficulty breathing, and reduced blood flow to vital organs. Patients may also experience small blood clots that interfere with circulation.

Because sepsis progress can be rapid, early recognition of these symptoms is crucial. Without urgent intervention, septic shock can quickly lead to multi-organ failure and death.

How Does Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Cause Sepsis?

Negligent care is a major contributor to sepsis and septic shock in long-term care settings. In many cases, people develop infections as a direct result of unsafe conditions or staff failing to meet basic standards of care.

Examples of neglect that can lead to sepsis include:

• Poor hygiene and sanitation – Create environments where bacteria can thrive.
• Failure to reposition immobile residents – Leads to pressure sores that become infected.
• Improper catheter and wound care – Increases risk of bloodstream and urinary tract infections.
• Delayed or missed treatment – When staff fail to recognize or report early symptoms, sepsis can progress rapidly.

This pattern of negligence is often grounds for legal action, especially when sepsis results in hospitalization, organ dysfunction, or wrongful death. A qualified Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer can help families pursue justice and hold facilities accountable.

Failure to Prevent Infections: A Sign of Neglect

Prevention is a critical first step in controlling sepsis risk in patients. When staff or facility policies fall short, the consequences can be fatal.

Negligent infection prevention often includes:

• Unsanitary equipment or living spaces – Raises the likelihood of exposure to pathogens.
• Lack of staff training on infection control – Leads to improper handling of wounds, catheters, and hygiene routines.
• Ignoring signs of early infection – Such as unexplained fever, abdominal pain, or behavioral changes.

Facilities are required to follow disease control protocols and provide immediate medical treatment when infections arise. When they fail to meet these obligations, residents face a significantly higher risk of developing sepsis and suffering long-term complications like post-sepsis syndrome.

Failure to Treat Infections Promptly: A Breach of Duty

Failing to respond quickly to a known infection in a nursing home resident is a breach of professional and legal duty. Untreated infections can advance into life-threatening conditions.

Consequences of delayed treatment include:

• Progression to severe sepsis – Infection spreads, impairing vital organs.
• Organ failure – Resulting in long-term disability or need for intensive care unit support.
• Higher mortality rates – Common among elderly residents or those with existing chronic medical conditions.

Timely medical treatment is critical to treat sepsis and reduce the risk of fatal outcomes. If nursing home staff fail to act, they may be held liable for negligence.

Key Risk Factors for Sepsis in the Elderly

Certain conditions make older adults in nursing homes more vulnerable to developing sepsis:

• Advanced age – Naturally decreases the strength of the immune system.
• Chronic illness – Conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or liver disease increase infection risk.
• Invasive medical devices – Catheters, IV lines, and breathing tubes can introduce bacteria.
• Weakened immune system – Results in a diminished ability to fight infection.
• Recent hospitalization or surgery – Heightens exposure to healthcare-associated infections.

Understanding these vulnerabilities allows caregivers and families to advocate for early diagnosis and immediate treatment.

Holding the Chicago Nursing Home Legally Liable for Sepsis

Chicago nursing homes may be liable if neglect causes an infection to advance through the stages of sepsis. Families may pursue claims for medical costs, emotional suffering, and wrongful death while helping protect other residents.

Can Other Healthcare Providers Be Held Accountable?

Other parties may also be liable. If doctors or hospitals miss early signs like rapid breathing, low blood pressure, or confusion and fail to act, they may be responsible for worsening severe sepsis or septic shock. 

Illinois Nursing Home Standards of Care Regarding Infections

Under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, facilities are required to stop infections before they progress through the stages of sepsis, including mild sepsis, severe sepsis, and even septic shock. 

This includes:

• Monitoring patients for early medical complaints
• Delivering prompt treatment
• Maintaining clean conditions to protect the immune system
• Training staff to act during medical emergencies

When these duties are ignored, infections may escalate, leading to hospital suffering, ICU stays, or fatal outcomes. The law demands that Illinois nursing homes uphold strict infection control measures to prevent these failures.

Legal Options for Family Members Affected by Sepsis

When a resident suffers harm or dies after progressing through the stages of sepsis, families have the legal right to take action. This may include:

• Filing a personal injury lawsuit if the resident survives but faces long-term medical complications
• Filing a wrongful death lawsuit if the resident passes away as a result of the infection

These claims can help recover compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship.

Legal action may be especially important when a resident has reached the third stage of sepsis, known as septic shock, which often results in devastating outcomes due to extremely low blood pressure and compromised organ function.

Proving Negligence in a Chicago Sepsis Case

In order to bring a successful sepsis-related negligence claim in Illinois, families must show that the nursing home or its staff failed to meet the standard of care and that this failure directly caused the resident’s infection to progress into one or more stages of sepsis.

This often involves demonstrating:

• The infection was preventable or treatable in its early stages.
• Staff ignored or delayed care despite clear warning signs.
• The resident advanced to the third stage of sepsis, suffering irreversible harm due to a lack of timely intervention.
  

These cases typically rely on expert medical testimony to connect the facility’s breach of duty to the sepsis outcome.

Legal Help for Chicago Families Impacted by Sepsis in a Nursing Facility

If a nursing home’s neglect leads to severe sepsis, septic shock, or death, legal action may be possible. Families can file personal injury or wrongful death claims to recover damages like ICU bills, long-term care, and loss of quality of life.

A skilled Chicago sepsis lawyer understands infection control, can review medical records, and knows how to hold facilities accountable. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offer a free consultation to help you take the next step.

Contact us at (888) 424-5757 or through our online form to discuss your legal options.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.