Definition:
Sepsis refers to an infection that is being carried through the bloodstream to the entire body. The infection itself begins somewhere in the body, but moves to another part of the body because it circulates in the blood. Severe sepsis means the bacteria is so overwhelming that it impairs the ability of organs to function (examples: trouble breathing or altered mental status.)
At its extreme, sepsis can lead to shock (septic shock), organ failure and death.
Septicemia is a term that's not used consistently in medicine, but it usually refers to the presence of the bacteria in the bloodstream. So, sepsis is the result of septicemia.
