---
title: "Sepsis: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers"
description: "Sepsis — life-threatening body response to infection — symptoms, when to call 999, and NHS emergency treatment."
url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/sepsis/
robots: noindex
---

# Sepsis: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers

Health A–Z

Sepsis — life-threatening body response to infection — symptoms, when to call 999, and NHS emergency treatment.

Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026

## Quick answer

What is sepsis? Sepsis is when the body's response to infection injures its own tissues and organs — a medical emergency. Symptoms include confusion, extreme breathlessness, not passing urine, mottled skin, fever or low temperature, and feeling deathly ill. Any infection can trigger it — urine, chest, skin, abdomen. Phone 999 or go to A&E if you suspect sepsis — do not wait. Early antibiotics and fluids in hospital save lives — hours matter.

## Who is this page for?

This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Sepsis, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally.

## Who should skip this page?

Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland.

On this page 8 sections

## Key facts about sepsis

- Sepsis kills about 48,000 people yearly in UK — many preventable with early recognition.
- Anyone with infection can develop sepsis — elderly, babies, immunocompromised, and recent surgery highest risk.
- NHS uses NEWS2 score in hospitals — public advised "just ask could it be sepsis" if very unwell with infection.
- Septic shock — sepsis with low blood pressure not responding to fluids — highest mortality — needs ICU.
- Trust instincts — patients and families say they "never felt so ill" — seek emergency help.

## Sepsis — when infection becomes emergency

**Sepsis** is **life-threatening organ dysfunction** caused by **dysregulated host response** to **infection** — **immune cascade** damages **blood vessels**, **orgers fail**.

**Septic shock** — **sepsis + persistent hypotension** despite fluids — **~40% mortality**.

**UK ~245,000 cases yearly** — **48,000 deaths** — **early treatment saves lives**.

## Public recognition — UK Sepsis Trust

**Adults — seek 999 if ANY with suspected infection:**

- S lurred speech or confusion

- E xtreme shivering or muscle ache

- P assing no urine (day)

- S evere breathlessness

- I feel like I might die

- S kin mottled or discoloured

**“Just ask: could it be sepsis?”**

## Children (under 5) — additional

- breathing very fast

- fit or convulsion

- looks mottled, bluish, pale

- rash not fading

- lethargic or difficult to wake

- feels abnormally cold

## Common infection sources

- pneumonia — see [chest infection](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/chest-infection/)

- UTI — [kidney infection](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/kidney-infection/)

- skin — [cellulitis](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/cellulitis/)

- abdomen — [appendicitis](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/appendicitis/), perforated viscus

- meningitis

- lines/devices — central venous catheters

## Who is vulnerable

- >75 , <1 year

- chemotherapy , steroids , immunosuppression

- diabetes

- recent surgery

- indwelling urinary catheter

## Hospital management

**Sepsis Six bundle (within 1 hour):**

- High-flow oxygen

- Blood cultures

- IV antibiotics

- IV fluid bolus

- Measure lactate

- Monitor urine output — catheter if needed

**Source control** — **surgery**, **drainage**

**ICU** — **noradrenaline**, **ventilation**, **RRT**

## After sepsis

**Post-sepsis syndrome:**

- fatigue , weakness , anxiety , cognitive fog — months

**Rehabilitation** — **physio**, **psychology**

## vs flu

**Flu miserable** — **sepsis catastrophic** — **confusion + infection + collapse** — **not “wait it out”**.

**Antibiotics at home for UTI** but **getting worse day 3** — **same-day review** — **not repeat script blind**.

**Sepsis kills in hours** — **999 beats politeness** — **say sepsis aloud to dispatcher**.

## ! When to see a GP about sepsis

Phone 999 immediately if someone with known or suspected infection becomes confused, breathless, has mottled or discoloured skin, passes no urine in 12 hours, has non-blanching rash with fever, or feels they might die — say "I am concerned about sepsis." GP same day if infection not improving on antibiotics or worsening after 48 hours. Do not delay emergency services waiting for GP callback when severely unwell.

## Common questions about sepsis

What are the signs of sepsis? Slurred speech or confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, passing no urine all day, severe breathlessness, feels like dying, skin mottled or discoloured. In children — breathing very fast, fits, pale skin, rash not fading, lethargy, abnormally cold touch. Any combination with infection — emergency. What is the difference between sepsis and septicaemia? Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction from dysregulated host response to infection. Septicaemia (blood poisoning) implies bacteria in bloodstream — can cause sepsis but sepsis can occur without positive blood cultures. Both need urgent hospital treatment. What causes sepsis? Any infection — pneumonia, urinary tract infection, cellulitis, appendicitis, meningitis, abdominal infection. Bacteria most common; viruses and fungi also. Surgery, indwelling lines, and catheters increase risk. Body's immune overreaction damages vessels and organs. How is sepsis treated? Emergency hospital — IV antibiotics within 1 hour of recognition, IV fluid resuscitation, oxygen, monitor urine output, treat source (drain abscess, remove infected line). ICU if shock — vasopressors, organ support. Blood cultures before antibiotics when possible without delay. Can sepsis be prevented? Prompt treatment of infections, hand hygiene, vaccination (flu, pneumococcal, meningitis), care of wounds and diabetes, seek help early when unwell. Cannot prevent all cases — early recognition key to survival.

## Sources

- [NHS — Sepsis](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/)
- [UK Sepsis Trust](https://sepsistrust.org/)
- [NICE — Sepsis recognition](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng51)