Why sepsis is becoming harder to treat in Europe

Microscope image of neutrophils, immune cells that respond to infection. Severe infections can trigger sepsis if the body’s inflammatory response becomes uncontrolled. S.Toey/Shutterstock

Sepsis moves fast. A patient can arrive at hospital with what appears to be a routine infection and, within hours, develop organ failure. Survival often depends on how quickly treatment begins.

Across Europe, doctors are seeing increasingly complex cases. Populations are ageing and more people are living with chronic illness.