Questions and answers
Common questions and answers about the causes, risks, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of sepsis.
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Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of infection which can happen to anyone of any age – with most sepsis cases developing at home.
Almost any infection can lead to sepsis, for example a simple infected cut, urinary tract infection (UTI), or a more serious bacterial infection like pneumonia.
Sepsis can develop very quickly, even if you’re already taking antibiotics, and needs immediate treatment in hospital.
Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor or hospital health professional: “Could it be sepsis?”
Trust your instincts – if something feels seriously wrong, don’t wait, speak up!
One or more of the following may be present:
- behaviour change
- confusion
- fatigue, drowsiness
- falls
- breathing very fast
- trouble breathing
- extreme shivering or fever
- very high or very low temperature
- unexplained, new or worsening pain
- headache
- blotchy, cold or clammy skin
- a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed
- not passing much (or any) urine
- feeling very sick – like you might die.
One or more of the following may be present:
- drowsy or difficult to wake
- confusion
- weak high-pitched cry that is different to usual
- working hard to breathe
- breathing very fast
- trouble breathing
- floppy when picked up
- feel abnormally warm or cold to touch
- a lot of pain or restless
- irritable, unable to console
- difficulty feeding
- blotchy, blue or pale skin
- a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed
- less wet nappies than usual or not passing much urine
- seizure or convulsion.
Sepsis is life threatening and needs immediate treatment.
- Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24 hours) for advice.
- Call Triple Zero 000 or go to your nearest emergency department if:
- your baby is under 3 months and has a fever (>38 degrees Celsius) or you, your loved one or child is seriously unwell and getting worse
- you have already seen a doctor, but you, your loved one or child is still sick and not getting better.
