“Even someone in top condition can die in a few hours”: what is sepsis, the condition that keeps Wout van Aert out of the Tour?

Wout van Aert (31) has to forfeit the Tour de France this year. After all, a fairly trivial injury to his elbow led to sepsis, a life-threatening condition. What exactly is this disease? What are the symptoms? And can everyone get it? “Sepsis must be recognized within three hours to increase the chances of survival. You must go to the hospital immediately,” says intensivist Harlinde Peperstraete (UZ Gent).

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