Sepsis: the warning signs and symptoms of life-threatening infection that claims nearly 50,000 lives a year
If you suspect you have sepsis, seek medical attention immediately 🚨
- Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that needs urgent medical attention.
- Research suggests that every year, sepsis kills more people than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined.
- If you suspect you have sepsis, call 999 or attend your local A&E immediately.
Sepsis is a medical emergency that kills more people than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined, the Sepsis Trust (UKST) have revealed, with latest research suggesting nearly 48,000 people lose their lives to the dangerous infection every year.
Better awareness of the signs and symptoms could save thousands of lives, as if left untreated, sepsis can cause septic shock, leading to organ failure and even death.
There are at least 245,000 cases of sepsis in the UK every year. Here is everything you need to know about the deadly infection, its symptoms and how to access treatment if you find yourself unwell.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a serious, life-threatening complication of an infection. It is caused by the immune system going into overdrive, leading to injury to tissue and organs. If not treated properly, it can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and even death.
It always starts with an infection in the body, such as a chest infection or a urinary tract infection. Young children, older adults and those with underlying health conditions can be more susceptible; however, sepsis can happen at any age, and there is no single test to diagnose it.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
There is no single symptom or test to diagnose sepsis; there are lots of signs, which can be similar to those of the flu or a chest infection, and symptoms can also depend on your age.
The Sepsis Trust urges people to look out for these symptoms of sepsis in adults:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine (in a day)
- Severe breathlessness
- It feels like you’re going to die
- Skin mottled or discoloured
Sepsis in children can look like:
- Breathing very fast
- A ‘fit’ or convulsion
- Look mottled, bluish, or pale – on darker pigmented skin, colour changes may show on the inside of the forearms or palms
- Have a rash that does not fade when you press it
- Are very lethargic or difficult to wake
- Feel abnormally cold to the touch
Whilst for young children under the age of five, they may have sepsis if they are not eating, have not passed urine in 12 hours and are vomiting repeatedly.
How is sepsis treated?
Sepsis is a medical emergency and requires immediate hospital treatment. If sepsis is not treated early, it can turn into septic shock and cause organ failure and even death. According to the NHS, you should receive antibiotics within one to six hours of arriving at the hospital, and you may need to stay in treatment for a few weeks.
Sepsis is life-threatening and requires urgent medical treatment. You can find out more about sepsis and access the sepsis assessment tool if you suspect you or someone you know may have symptoms at The Sepsis Trust UK.