Emergency advice

Sepsis in adults and older children:

  1. Call 999.
  2. Reassure them and keep them comfortable.
  3. Monitor their level of response.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is caused by the way the body responds to an infection. The infection can happen anywhere in the body. For example, a chest or urinary infection, or problems in the abdomen like burst ulcers, or even simple skin injuries like cuts and bites. Sepsis is sometimes called septicaemia or blood poisoning.

It is a life-threatening condition which makes the immune system go into overdrive as it tries to fight the infection. This can reduce the blood supply to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, eventually leading to multiple organ failure and possibly death.

Signs and symptoms

Sepsis can be hard to spot. Anyone can develop sepsis but it is more common in the young and the elderly ot those whose immunity doesn't work properly due to medicines or a chronic illness.  It can initially look like flu or a chest infection. Symptoms can appear different in babies and young children from those of adults and older children. View first aid advice for sepsis in babies and young children.

In adults and older children, look for:

  • Slurred speech, light-headedness, confusion or dizziness
  • Extreme shivering or muscle pain
  • Difficulty passing urine or passing no urine over the past 24 hours
  • Severe breathlessness or rapid breathing
  • ‘I feel sicker than I ever have before’
  • Skin may become blue, grey or blotchy (on dark skin look at the palms of the hands and the base of the feet)
  • A high temperature

The symptoms of sepsis vary and they may not have all of these.

What to do

  1. If someone is unwell and you think they have one or more symptoms of sepsis, do not wait call 999 or 112 for emergency help straight away.

  2. While you’re waiting for help to arrive, reassure them and keep them comfortable.

    If they have a fever, you can give them paracetamol (make sure you tell the healthcare professionals what you gave and when).

  3. You can give them fluids if they will tolerate them.

    Monitor their level of response.

Related first aid advice

Sepsis in babies and young children

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition. It can lead to multiple organ failure and possibly death. Find out what to look for and what to do.

How to do CPR on an adult

If an adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally, you need to call 999 or 112 for emergency help and start CPR straight away. Learn what to do.

Meningitis

Anyone of any age can get meningitis. Find out what to look for and what to do.