YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Most Americans have never heard of sepsis and those that have, often times, don't know much about it.  However, each year it kills just about as many people as breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer combined.  In fact, more than 500 Americans die each day from sepsis, which is a life-threatening reaction to an infection.  It's a large problem around the globe, which is why September is Sepsis Awareness Month.  Sepsis can cause widespread inflammation throughout the body and blood cots, both of which can lead to organ failure.

"Anyone can get sepsis. Anyone with an infection can get sepsis. It can effect the very, very young all the way up to the elderly patients. Some patients are at higher risks than others. Patients from nursing homes, older than 65, anyone who is immuno-suppressed is at increased risk and patients who have had surgery in the past 30 days. They are also at increased risk," said Humility of Mary Health Partners' Sepsis Coordinator, Rhonda Gluckner.

There are no visible signs of sepsis.  However, symptoms can include increased heart rate and fever.