Five people die every hour in the UK alone
he NHS has released a list of symptoms urging people to “trust your instincts” when it comes to what can rapidly develop into a life-threatening infection.
Sepsis occurs when the body’s reaction to an infection begins to damage its own tissues and organs, causing the immune system to go into overdrive. It is a potentially fatal response to an infection requiring immediate hospital treatment. A recent post on X, formerly Twitter, from the NHS reads: “It can be hard to spot, so make sure you know the symptoms.”
It warns that sepsis can deteriorate rapidly, urging people to familiarise themselves with the symptoms and know what action to take should they notice any. Symptoms in adults include:
– blue, pale, grey, or blotchy skin, lips, or tongue
– difficulty breathing, acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
– uncontrollable shivering
– muscle pain
– a high or low temperature – a high temperature is less common in older adults
– not peeing all day or peeing very little in the past 18 hours
Symptoms in children include:
– blue, pale, grey, or blotchy skin, lips, or tongue
– difficulty breathing or breathing very fast
– having a seizure (fit)
– a high or low temperature
– a rash that does not fade when you press it
– being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
– not peeing for 12 hours (babies and children under 5) or all day (children over 5)
The NHS update adds: “If you or someone else has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E. Trust your instincts.”