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Sepsis | Safety First Welling

Posted by Keri Hartwright
Last updated 26th September 2023
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  • What is sepsis?

    Sepsis is a life threatening condition which can affect anyone, but children and the elderly are most at risk.  It happens when your immune system over reacts to an infection and begins to damage it's own organs.  It can be hard to spot, but early detection is vital in saving a life.  Be alert to the signs of sepsis and seek advice if you think someone is really unwell.

    What is sepsis?

  • Signs and symptoms of sepsis

    Do you think you would recognise sepsis? below are some of the signs and symptoms

    Signs and symptoms of sepsis
    • High or low temperature. Particularly one that is hard to control
    • Pale or mottled skin, or a blotchy rash
    • Vomiting which cannot be controlled
    • Lethargy, floppiness, difficulty rousing the person
    • Loss of interest in feeding
    • Has reduced urine output

  • When do I need to call an ambulance?

    There is no right or wrong time to call an ambulance as such, because if you are concerned about someone you love particularly your small child or baby you need to go with your instincts.

    When do I need to call an ambulance?
    • A rash like meninigitis, appears or they are particularly pale and unresponsive
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Lower levels of response or difficulty in rousing them from sleep
    • A weak or high pitched cry
    • An adult who appears confused or has a changed mental state.

  • As an expert on your child or relative, you will know what is normal and what is not normal for them.  A normal temperature is somewhere between 36.3 and 37.5, so having a reliable thermometer is useful for when they become unwell.  Children under the age of 5 often develop high temperatures when they are unwell as they are unable to regulate it themselves.  If the temperature is difficult to control, or persisting for more than a couple of days you need to seek advice.

    A temperature over 38 is one to be monitoring closely, and if the child is unwell with the raised temperature, then you may consider giving them something like a paracetamol suspension to help them feel better.  Encourage fluid intake when they are unwell in order to avoid dehydration.  There are many sources of advice for you when someone in your family becomes unwell, 111 will ring you back and you can seek advice from a call handler.  In some cases a pharmacist might help, and there is your GP.  If all else fails and you are really unwell then or concerned about a relative then you may need to call 999.

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