Sepsis is a complex syndrome that is difficult to define, diagnose, and treat. It is a range of clinical conditions caused by the body's response to an infection. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is the body response to a variety of clinical insults. In some septic patients immediate surgery is lifesaving, but resuscitation should be continued during anesthesia. Treatment of SIRS and multiorgan failure depends on support of respiratory function, supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and volume infusion. Treatment beyond these supportive measures includes a combination of several antibiotics, removal or drainage of infected foci, treatment of complications, and pharmacologic interventions to prevent further harmful host responses.