JUST ASK, COULD IT BE SEPSIS?

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to any infection that progresses quickly and requires immediate attention. Know the signs and symptoms (one or all of the following may be present).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SEPSIS

Rapid breathing

Rapid heart rate

Confusion, slurred speech or disorientation

Fever or shivering

Muscle pain

Not passing urine

Discoloured skin

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO!

Early-stage sepsis:

Sufferers are generally unwell, may display one or all of the signs and symptoms, feel worse than when previously sick and there is concern
Contact healthdirect at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ OR Call 1800 022 222 (24 hours) and ask…could it be sepsis?

Later stage sepsis:

Sufferers are seriously unwell, likely to display significant changes in multiple signs and symptoms, feel like they might die and there is serious concern
CALL 000 Ambulance or if quicker go immediately to the closest Emergency Department and ask….could it be sepsis?

Key considerations:

If concerned get advice immediately
If seriously concerned get treatment immediately
Inflammation due to infection is normal but in sepsis the inflammation response is uncontrolled, it may start mildly but rapidly escalate to critical illness
Sepsis is difficult to recognise as it may not have an obvious cause, it can look like viral or bacterial illnesses such as flu, gastro or urinary tract infection
Trust your intuition…if it doesn’t feel right TAKE ACTION and always ask…could it be sepsis?

symptom checker Call 000

Fact Sheets

Sepsis Signs and Symptoms Infants

Sepsis can cause more rapid deterioration in young children and infants. It may not be a single symptom but a combination of changes in symptoms and your concern you child is looking or feeling worse than usual, when generally unwell with no obvious reason. Seek urgent medical care if your child has:

convulsions or fits
rapid breathing
discoloured skin, very pale or bluish
a rash that doesn’t fade when you press it
fever OR very low temperature
not passing urine (or no wet nappy) for several hours
vomiting repeatedly
not feeding

If you or your child have any of the symptoms listed and are concerned, seek medical help and call 000 if a sudden change occurs. Importantly, If you have been reviewed by a Doctor or Nurse and sent home but you or your child is not improving, and you are concerned then return immediately to the Emergency Department and ask, “could it be sepsis?”

Sepsis Facts Children and Infants

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