Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to infection in which the body's own immune response starts damaging its organs. It can develop from any infection — a urinary tract infection, pneumonia, abdominal infection, or even a skin infection. Sepsis needs urgent hospital care; every hour of delay worsens outcomes.

Symptoms — know these signs

Sepsis can be difficult to recognise because it starts with ordinary symptoms of infection. Look for any of these warning signs in someone with an infection:

• Very fast breathing or breathlessness
• Very fast heartbeat
• Confusion, drowsiness, or unusual behaviour
• Shivering, very cold to the touch, or fever
• Low blood pressure — feeling dizzy or faint on standing
• Very pale, mottled, or blue skin, lips, or tongue
• Reduced urine output over the day
• Severe pain, severe muscle pain
• A feeling of "something is seriously wrong" — often sepsis survivors describe knowing "it wasn't just flu"

In children: not feeding, persistent crying, blue or grey skin, a rash that doesn't fade when pressed (glass test), fits, very high or very low temperature.

If you suspect sepsis, go to hospital immediately or dial 112. Say the word sepsis to emergency staff — it triggers rapid assessment.

Who is at higher risk?

• Very young (babies) and very old
• Pregnant and recently-delivered women
• People with chronic conditions — diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer
• People with weakened immunity (HIV, transplant, chemotherapy, immunosuppressant medicines)
• Recent surgery or hospitalisation
• Indwelling devices — catheters, lines
• Alcoholism
• Untreated or inadequately-treated infections

Treatment

Sepsis is a medical emergency. Treatment starts immediately and includes:

• Antibiotics — given intravenously as soon as possible
• Intravenous fluids
• Oxygen
• Finding and treating the source of infection — draining an abscess, removing an infected catheter, surgery if needed
• Blood tests, imaging
• Intensive care, with support for breathing, blood pressure, and kidney function if severely unwell
• Early recognition and treatment are the single biggest determinants of survival

Prevention

• Vaccinations — flu, pneumococcus, COVID-19, childhood immunisations
• Good hand hygiene
• Prompt treatment of infections — don't ignore an infected wound, worsening UTI, or persistent fever
• Manage chronic conditions well
• Careful hygiene with any indwelling device
• For anyone who has had sepsis, follow-up care matters — recovery can take months; some people develop 'post-sepsis syndrome' with fatigue, weakness, and cognitive issues needing targeted support