Sepsis, sometimes called Septicaemia or blood poisoning, is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that can lead to tissue damage, multiple organ failure and sometimes death, especially if it’s not spotted early and treated promptly. This happens when the body’s immune system overreacts to the infection.
Sepsis is a medical emergency, and you should call 999 or 112 as soon as possible if you suspect you or someone else has Sepsis.
The symptoms of Sepsis vary from person to person and can differ between adults, children, and babies. If you notice any of the below symptoms in yourself or someone else, call 999 or go straight to A&E for urgent medical attention.
An adult may have one or more of the following symptoms:
You should also call 999 or 112 if you, your child, or someone else is showing the below signs or you’re concerned about an infection. If you’re unsure if it’s Sepsis, don’t worry. It’s still best to call 999 or112. They can advise you on what to do and arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor or call an ambulance.
Signs you should call 999 or 112 if you or someone else is:
Sepsis happens when your body’s immune system responds abnormally to an infection, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Your immune system works to fight any germs such as bacteria and viruses and helps to prevent infection. However, sometimes, the immune system goes into overdrive and starts to attack our organs and other tissues.
It can happen as a response to any injury or infection and can be triggered by:
The infection can start anywhere in your body – it may be in one part or widespread – but the most common parts of the body affected are:
The source of the infection can’t always be identified.
Sepsis doesn’t discriminate, meaning anyone with an infection can get it. However, some are more susceptible to infection, which can make them more vulnerable to Sepsis.
This includes:
Sepsis in babies is usually caused by a bacterial infection in any part of the body. It can also be caused when a surgical procedure has taken place and bacteria has entered the body.
Sepsis is more likely to occur in babies that are premature as they have weaker immune systems, and their skin and gut is more fragile than in babies born at full-term. This means they’re more vulnerable to infections, which can happen through equipment such as ventilation tubes.
Sepsis is a medical emergency, if your baby or young child has one or more of the following symptoms, call 999 immediately:
Other symptoms include:
Sepsis in children is more common in those under one year of age but older children can still be at risk. Children with Pneumonia, urinary tract infections, Meningitis and severe skin infections can rapidly deteriorate and develop Sepsis.
A child under five may have Sepsis if they:
Other symptoms include:
As children get older, their exposure to illness can increase as they attend nursery, go to school and participate in other activities.
Initial symptoms of Sepsis in children may include:
These may then develop into:
Seek urgent medical attention if a child has any of the above symptoms.
As we go through the ageing process, the immune system becomes less effective at fighting against infections. This results in older people contracting more infections that are often more severe.
Every infection means those that are elderly are at a greater risk of developing Sepsis. This includes common infections that occur in the elderly, such as Pneumonia and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI).
The elderly also may develop chronic illnesses such as Diabetes, kidney disease or heart failure which can make them more susceptible to Sepsis.
Symptoms of Sepsis in the elderly include:
If an elderly person has any of these symptoms you must seek urgent medical attention.
Septic shock is an extremely life-threatening condition that occurs when your blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level following an infection. People with weakened immune systems are more likely to get Septic shock.
Initially, the infection can cause sepsis, but if it’s left untreated, the toxins produced by bacteria can damage the small blood vessels, causing them to leak fluid into the surrounding tissues. This can affect your heart’s ability to pump blood to your organs, which lowers your blood pressure and means blood doesn’t reach vital organs, such as the brain and liver.
Septic shock is a medical emergency, call 999 or 112 urgently if you or someone else is showing signs of septic shock including:
If you have septic shock, you may be transferred to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to help support your body’s functions and organs while you undergo treatment. The treatment usually involves one of the following, depending on what’s best suited to you:
Septic shock can be fatal. It’s a serious health condition that needs treating urgently.
Meningitis is an infection of the protective lining around the brain and spinal cord (meninges) that’s caused by bacteria, virus or fungi invading the body. This can cause Septicaemia. Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same bacteria as Meningitis, which triggers Sepsis. Both Meningitis and Sepsis are serious, life-threatening illnesses and you must call 999 or 112 if you suspect you or someone else is showing symptoms of either condition. Meningitis can affect more than 2.5 million people globally each year, and while it can happen to anyone, it’s most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
Symptoms include:
It’s important to note that not everyone will experience the same symptoms and they can appear in any order. However, the initial symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and generally feeling unwell.
