Lucknow: As the world observes World Sepsis Day on September 13, the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, is highlighting the urgent need for early recognition, timely treatment and responsible antibiotic use to reduce deaths from sepsis.
The theme for World Sepsis Day 2026 is “Invest in Sepsis – Save Lives”, underlining the need to invest in prevention, early diagnosis and quality care, healthcare professionals, research and innovation, as well as stronger health systems and coordinated global action.
“Every minute matters in sepsis. Recognising the warning signs early and taking the right action can save lives,” said Professor (Dr.) Ved Prakash, Head of the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, KGMU. He stressed that appropriate antibiotics, administered at the right dose and for the appropriate duration, can be crucial in saving patients, while indiscriminate antibiotic use must be avoided.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in which the body’s response to an infection causes widespread inflammation and organ damage. It can result from bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections and may develop from conditions such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, abdominal infections, skin and soft-tissue infections and bloodstream infections. Hospital-acquired infections, including surgical-site infections, catheter-related bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia, can also lead to sepsis.
The global burden remains enormous. Sepsis affects an estimated 48.9 million people worldwide every year and is associated with around 11 million deaths annually, according to figures cited by health experts. The burden is particularly severe in low- and middle-income countries, with the Global South accounting for a large majority of cases. Children under five, especially newborns, older adults, women and people with weakened immune systems are among those at higher risk.
India faces a particularly significant burden, with studies estimating millions of sepsis cases and deaths every year. Experts also point to the growing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as drug-resistant infections make treatment increasingly difficult. Recent studies cited by the department indicate that more than half of patients admitted to ICUs in India may have sepsis, with a substantial proportion associated with multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Doctors emphasised that delays in administering appropriate antibiotic therapy can worsen outcomes. At the same time, antibiotics should not be used indiscriminately, as excessive or inappropriate use accelerates antimicrobial resistance. The changing microbial environment and increasing prevalence of drug-resistant infections have therefore made antibiotic stewardship a critical public-health priority. Experts called for state-level measures to ensure rational antibiotic use across healthcare facilities.
Warning signs of sepsis can include fever or abnormally low body temperature, rapid heartbeat, fast breathing or breathlessness, confusion or altered mental status, low blood pressure, reduced urine output and other signs of organ dysfunction. Skin may become pale, bluish, mottled or unusually warm or cold. In severe cases, sepsis can progress to septic shock, characterised by dangerously low blood pressure and multiple-organ failure.
Early diagnosis requires clinical assessment supported by laboratory and imaging investigations. Doctors may evaluate blood counts, biochemical parameters and inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and procalcitonin. Blood, urine, sputum and other cultures can help identify the causative organism and guide targeted antimicrobial treatment. Rapid molecular and syndromic diagnostic technologies can also help detect multiple pathogens and antibiotic-resistance genes from patient samples.
Management of sepsis requires rapid, coordinated intervention. Treatment may include appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotics, followed by antimicrobial optimisation based on test results and clinical response; control of the infection source; oxygen therapy and ventilatory support when required; medicines to maintain blood pressure; and organ support such as dialysis in patients with kidney failure. Selected patients may also require corticosteroids and careful glucose management. Survivors may need prolonged medical, physical and psychological rehabilitation because of post-sepsis complications.
The Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at KGMU has developed a strong reputation for managing critically ill patients with sepsis. The department operates a 26-bed respiratory intensive care unit and reports a ventilator-associated pneumonia rate of below 10 per cent. It has also achieved recovery rates approaching 85 per cent among its patients, reflecting its focus on critical-care expertise and improved outcomes.
To mark World Sepsis Day, KGMU’s Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, under the aegis of the Pulmocrit Foundation and in association with the Society of Precision Medicine and Intensive Care and the National Academy of Medical Sciences, Uttar Pradesh Chapter, is organising a two-day conference on September 12 and 13, 2026. Experts from India and abroad are expected to deliberate on advances in sepsis prevention, diagnosis, antimicrobial therapy and critical-care management.
The inaugural ceremony will be held at 10 am on September 12 at the 8th Floor, Shatabdi Phase II, KGMU, Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary for Medical Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education, Dr Amit Kumar Ghosh, is scheduled to attend the inauguration. Other senior officials and experts, including NHM Director Dr Pinky Joel and DGME Neha Sharma, are also expected to participate.
At a press conference held ahead of World Sepsis Day, Professor (Dr.) Ved Prakash, Professor (Dr.) Suryakant, Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at KGMU, Professor (Dr.) Apul Goel of the Department of Urology, and Dr Saumitra Mishra from the Critical Care Medicine department highlighted the need for greater awareness and faster intervention in sepsis.
Other doctors and staff present included Dr Sachin Kumar, Dr Mohammad Arif, Dr Anurag, Dr Richa Tyagi, Dr Yash Jagdhari, Dr Deepak, Dr Nandini Dixit, Dr Subhra, Dr Sandeep, Dr Aparna, Dr Harshita and other members of the medical team.
The experts said the message for World Sepsis Day 2026 is clear: investment in prevention, timely diagnosis, trained healthcare professionals, research, innovation and stronger health systems is essential to saving lives. With sepsis capable of progressing rapidly, recognising the signs early and ensuring timely, evidence-based treatment remain among the most important steps in reducing preventable deaths.
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