What are the warning signs of sepsis, and when should I call emergency services?
Sepsis is a dangerous response to infection that can damage organs and needs urgent treatment. Warning signs include confusion, breathing difficulty or severe deterioration with pale or mottled skin and reduced urine. Temperature may be high or low, and not every sign must be present.
Details
Do not wait for a numerical threshold
No fever or a seemingly acceptable pulse does not exclude sepsis, particularly in older or immunocompromised people. If someone with infection becomes markedly worse, develops breathing difficulty or new confusion, seek emergency help and mention the recent infection.
In babies and children
Poor responsiveness, difficulty waking, rapid or laboured breathing and abnormal skin colour are concerning. A child who appears seriously ill needs immediate help even if they cannot describe pain or do not show every typical symptom.
Help the emergency team
Report when deterioration began, recent infection or surgery, medicines and allergies. Do not delay hospital care to try leftover antibiotics. Treatment assesses the infection source and supports circulation while providing appropriate therapy. Sepsis is not simply another name for bacteria found in a blood test.
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