Sepsis is a life threatening illness that develops when an existing infection triggers an extreme immune system response in your body. Learn about the symptoms , stages, causes, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and prevention of sepsis . Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of sepsis , a serious infection-related illness. Sepsis is your body’s extreme reaction to an infection. Without prompt treatment, it can lead to organ failure, tissue damage and death. Early signs of sepsis may include severe pain, shortness of breath, and mental confusion . Sepsis starts with an infection in any part of the body and spreads through the blood. When this happens, your immune system launches a severe inflammatory response that can affect every system in your body.