Sepsis warning signs you need to know

Sepsis is a fairly new word, but it certainly isn't a new problem. Septicaemia, sometimes known as blood poisoning, happens when an infection spreads through your bloodstream. Sepsis is an infection affecting the whole body, and strictly speaking refers to the way your body responds to this infection.

Around 1 in 500 people develop sepsis in the UK every year. It's more likely if your immune system isn't as strong as it should be. This means children (whose immune system is still developing) and over-75s (your immune system wanes with age) are at high risk. Your risks are also raised if you're on steroids or cancer treatment, have a medical condition like blood cancer, have had surgery or drink a lot of alcohol, have a long-term catheter, or have diabetes.

The signs to look for

The Sepsis Trust, which campaigns to raise awareness of sepsis, has developed a checklist to help you spot signs of possible sepsis:

Slurred speech or confusion.
Extreme shivering or muscle pain.
Passing no urine (in a day).
Severe breathlessness or sleepiness.
It feels like you're going to die or pass out.
Skin mottled or discoloured.

An extremely high or a very low temperature, repeated vomiting, seizures, and a rash which doesn't fade when you press a glass against it are also possible warning signs.

In children, the signs may be different. You should think sepsis if a child:

• Is breathing very fast.
• Is confused or disorientated.
• Has a fit or convulsion.
• Has clammy, cold skin and looks blue, pale or patchy (mottled).
• Has a rash that does not fade when you press it.
• Is very lethargic or difficult to wake.
• Feels abnormally cold to touch.

In children under five years, not feeding, repeated vomiting or no wet nappies for 12 hours are also concerning. If you notice any of these symptoms, don't delay - early treatment saves lives.

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Early diagnosis saves lives

If a doctor suspects sepsis, you'll be admitted to hospital immediately. Treatment depends partly on the cause - for instance, bacterial infections will be treated with antibiotics given through a drip into your bloodstream, and you may need surgery to remove collections of pus which have built up.

In the meantime, you'll have supportive treatment to help your body keep going:

• Fluid through a drip.
• Oxygen through a mask.
• Possible admission to an intensive care unit for breathing and other support.

Without early diagnosis, between 1 and 5 in 10 people with sepsis won't survive. But with early treatment, the outlook is much better. It can be a long road to recovery, though. Sepsis affects your whole body, and can stop your kidneys and liver from functioning properly or your blood from clotting. You're likely to be in hospital for several weeks, and may need support at home for several months.

A condition called post-sepsis syndrome can leave you feeling tired, weak and short of breath. You may be off your food, prone to frequent infections and suffer from joint and chest pains. In addition, sepsis can take its toll mentally, leaving you depressed and anxious.

That means you'll need support and understanding from your loved ones. Don't expect to bounce back to health - instead take things gently, increasing your levels of activity very slowly. If you're struggling with day-to-day activities like shopping, cooking or cleaning, your local social services department can help with services like home help and meals at home (meals on wheels).

With thanks to My Weekly where this was originally published.