Stealth Disease Likely to Blame for 20% of Worldwide Deaths

January 16, 2020

(NPR) – A medical condition that often escapes public notice may be involved in 20% of deaths worldwide, according to a new study. The disease is sepsis — sometimes called blood poisoning. It arises when the body overreacts to an infection. Blood vessels throughout the body become leaky, triggering multiple-organ failure. It is surprisingly common in the United States: One prominent study estimates 1.7 million cases a year and 270,000 deaths.