Knowing the signs and symptoms of sepsis can save lives.
A mosquito bite. A urinary tract infection. The flu. It might seem unlikely, but these conditions share a common trait – all could potentially lead to sepsis.
In fact, any infection could trigger sepsis. Sepsis is when the body has an extreme response to infection and starts to injure itself. Sepsis can damage many parts of the body like your heart and lungs, and can even result in death.
Each year, over 55,000 Australians get sepsis, of which more than 8,700 will not survive. Sepsis kills more Australians each year than road traffic accidents or stroke.
For adults who survive sepsis, half will be left with a permanent disability. Sepsis is a leading cause of death and disability in children.
Sepsis is a medical emergency. More than 50 per cent of sepsis-related deaths in children occur within 24 hours. The best chance of getting better from sepsis is to treat it quickly. Early treatment can save lives.
You might have heard of sepsis, but could you name its possible signs and symptoms?
You need to know what to do if symptoms quickly get worse. Would you know when to ask, ‘Could it be sepsis?’
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
There is no single symptom of sepsis. It can initially look like the flu, gastro, or a skin or chest infection. Symptoms can be different from person to person and are different for adults and children.
You know yourself or your loved one best. Your instincts can help the doctor identify if it is sepsis. It’s important to know what to look for.
Sepsis is an emergency. If you or someone you are caring for experiences any ONE of these symptoms, go to hospital and ask, ‘Could it be sepsis?’
Sepsis in Adults
Any of these symptoms could be sepsis and is a medical emergency:
- fast breathing or breathlessness
- low body temperature
- fever and chills
- low or no urine output
- fast heartbeat
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhoea
- new fatigue, confusion, drowsiness or change in behaviour
- pain or ‘feeling worse than ever’.
Learn more about sepsis in adults here.
Sepsis in Children
Children with sepsis might experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- cold skin
- seizure
- working hard to breathe
- drowsy or confused
- rash that doesn't fade when pressed
- blotchy, blue or pale skin
- a lot of pain or very restless
- floppy.
Symptoms of sepsis can vary a lot between children. Use our paediatric sepsis checklist if your child is unwell and not getting better.
What to do if you suspect sepsis
Sepsis is a medical emergency. You know your loved one or your child best, so trust your gut feeling.
If your loved one your child is more unwell than ever before or this illness is different from other times – go straight to hospital or call 000 and ask, ‘Could it be sepsis?’
- If you start to see symptoms of sepsis
- If the child or adult is not getting better
- If the child or adult is getting sicker
Even if you have already seen a doctor or health professional, it’s okay to go back again if you are worried.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms can help you receive fast medical treatment.
Illnesses can change, and minor infection could lead to sepsis after you have already been to see a health professional.
Supporting families through their child’s diagnosis of sepsis
A child’s diagnosis of sepsis is a life changing event for the child and their family.
The Queensland Paediatric Sepsis Program’s Family Support Program is an evolving model of care that aims to provide key resources and programs to support the child and family at all points of their journey, from the acute phase of diagnosis, to discharge, longer-term recovery and bereavement, if their child did not survive.
Sepsis Family Experiences - Journeying through Sepsis is an 8-part video series that aims to support families with a child who has survived sepsis, by providing information and guidance on each stage of their child’s hospital journey. The key messages are provided primarily by families (who have had a child diagnosed with sepsis) and key clinicians working in this specialist area. The four families within the videos have children of a range of ages and are from metro and rural areas.
Family Support Network - A state-wide network to enable families who have experienced sepsis to be well supported, be able to connect with others with similar experiences, have access to useful information and resources and be actively involved in our program’s research, resource development, and media opportunities
Peer Mentor Program - Aims to provide support for families (across Qld) newly diagnosed with sepsis or bereaved as a result of sepsis, by linking them with peers who have a lived experience, for a minimum of six months.
The Family Support Program has been co-designed and, in part, delivered by consumers. This design reflects the value of the unique expertise and advocacy that consumers bring and ensures that all developments are created to best meet their identified needs. The various aspects of the Family Support Program are multimodal, thereby increasing the opportunities for families to connect and process information at any time during the acute episode of sepsis or afterwards, from any location within Queensland.
Who is at increased risk of developing sepsis?
Anyone can develop sepsis, even young and healthy people. However, some people are more likely to develop sepsis than others. Those at higher risk include:
- babies and children
- older adults
- people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent
- people with a weakened immune system or being treated for cancer
- people with COVID-19
- people who have just had surgery or have a wound or injury
- people who are pregnant or have just given birth
- people who have already had sepsis
Can sepsis be prevented?
It’s not always possible to prevent sepsis, however you can help avoid sepsis by:
- Talking to your doctor if you have an infection or illness
- Staying up to date with vaccinations (including COVID-19 and annual flu)
- Keeping wounds and cuts clean as they heal
- Washing your hands often and keeping good general hygiene
How is sepsis diagnosed and treated?
Sepsis can be curable if identified and treated quickly and, in most cases, leads to a full recovery.
If sepsis is suspected, clinicians will run tests to assess vital signs and identify a source of infection. Treatment may include medications such as antibiotics or intravenous fluids to treat sepsis and stabilise the body.
In severe cases patients may need intubation (mechanical help with breathing) or dialysis (if the kidneys have been affected). Surgery may also be needed to remove infected tissue.