Sepsis is a potentially life threatening complication of an infection that can affect anyone of any age.
Signs and symptoms
Sepsis can develop from any infection and can affect anyone, but it is more common in the very young, the elderly, people with pre-existing medical conditions or those with a weakened immune system. Sepsis is difficult to diagnose as it can be easily confused with other conditions early on.
It is important to be familiar with the signs and symptoms, and to ask the question ‘Could it be Sepsis?’
The most commonly reported symptoms of Sepsis include:
Slurred speech, confusion, excessive drowsiness
Excessive sleepiness or drowsiness, confusion
Pain or discomfort in the muscles or joints, passing very little or no urine
Severe breathlessness, a racing heart, shivering, fever, feeling very cold
“I feel like I’m going to die”
Skin changes like pale, cold, discoloured skin or a rash that won’t fade when pressed on
In children the signs to look out for include:
abnormally cold to the touch
looks mottled , bluish or pale
breathing very fast
is unusually sleepy and difficult to wake
has a rash that does not fade when you press it
having fits or convulsions
Also in children under 5 specifically:
not feeding
vomiting repeatedly
has not had a wet nappy in last 12 hours
Nuala Clarke, Group Sepsis Lead, ADON, Children’s Health Ireland on Sepsis Awareness speaks about Sepsis and the common conditions, signs and symptoms of it.
If you find this video helpful and informative and have any suggestions of other information videos that may be helpful to you as parents, please feel free to share these ideas with Claudine Frame, partnering with patients coordinator at patient.feedback@childrenshealthireland.ie
