Updates and controversies in the early management of sepsis and septic shock.

Sepsis is a common and life-threatening condition that requires early recognition and swift initial management. Diagnosis and treatment of sepsis and septic shock are fundamental for emergency clinicians, and include knowledge of clinical and laboratory indicators of subtle and overt organ dysfunction, infection source control, and protocols for prompt identification of the early signs of septic shock. This issue is a structured review of the literature on the management of sepsis, focusing on the current evidence, guidelines, and protocols.