Blood poisoning (sepsis)

Sepsis | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Blood and lymph Sepsis Sepsis About sepsis Symptoms of sepsis Treating sepsis About sepsis Phone 999 immediately or go to A&E if: You or someone else has symptoms like: loss of consciousness severe breathlessness a high temperature (fever) or low body temperature a change in mental state  like confusion or disorientation slurred speech cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin a fast heartbeat fast breathing chills and shivering severe muscle pain feeling dizzy or faint nausea and vomiting diarrhoea What is sepsis? Sepsis is a serious complication of an infection. Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death. What causes a sepsis infection? The immune system usually keeps an infection limited to one place. This is called a localised infection. To do this, the body produces white blood cells. White blood cells travel to an infection site to destroy the germs causing the infection. This triggers tissue swelling, known as inflammation. This helps to fight the infection and prevent it from spreading. However, an infection can spread to other parts of the body if the immune system is weak or an infection is severe. Widespread inflammation can damage tissue and interfere with blood flow. When blood flow is interrupted, blood pressure can drop dangerously low. This stops oxygen from reaching the organs and tissues. Sources of infection Sepsis can be triggered by an infection in any part of the body. The most common sites of infection that lead to sepsis are the: lungs urinary tract tummy (abdomen) pelvis However, sometimes the specific infection and source of sepsis cant be identified. Infections linked to sepsis appendicitis  infection in the appendix cellulitis  a skin infection that can be caused by an intravenous catheter thats been inserted through the skin to give fluids or medication cholangitis  an infection of the bile duct cholecystitis  an infection of the gallbladder encephalitis  an infection of the brain and nervous system endocarditis  a heart infection flu  only in some cases meningitis  an infection of the brain and nervous system peritonitis  an infection of the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdomen pneumonia  a lung infection post-surgery infections osteomyelitis  a bone infection urinary tract infection  an infection of the bladder, urethra or kidneys Tests to diagnose sepsis Sepsis is often diagnosed by testing your: temperature heart rate breathing rate blood Other tests can help determine the type of infection, where its located and which parts of the body have been affected. These include: urine or stool samples a wound culture  where a small sample of tissue, skin or fluid is taken from the affected area for testing respiratory secretion testing  taking a sample of saliva, phlegm or mucus blood pressure tests imaging studies  like an X-ray , ultrasound scan or computerised tomography (CT) scan Whos at risk of sepsis? Anyone can develop sepsis after an injury or minor infection. However, some people are more vulnerable, including people who: are very young are very old are pregnant have had a urinary catheter fitted have a long term health condition like diabetes have recently had surgery are genetically prone to infections are already in hospital with a serious illness have to stay in hospital for a long time have wounds or injuries as a result of an accident have a medical condition that weakens the immune system  like HIV or leukaemia are receiving medical treatment that weakens the immune system  like chemotherapy or long-term steroids are on mechanical ventilation  where a machine is used to help you breathe Recovering from sepsis Some people make a full recovery from sepsis fairly quickly. The amount of time it takes to fully recover from sepsis varies depending on: the severity of the sepsis the persons overall health how much time was spent in hospital whether treatment was needed in an intensive care unit (ICU) Long term effects of sepsis Some people with sepsis will experience long-term physical and psychological problems. This is known as post-sepsis syndrome. Symptoms of post-sepsis syndrome include: feeling lethargic or excessively tired muscle weakness swollen limbs joint pain chest pain breathlessness Symptoms of sepsis Sepsis can cause a variety of symptoms. Sepsis symptoms in children under 5 Temperature over 38C (babies under 3 months) over 39C (babies aged 3 to 6 months) below 36C  check 3 times in a 10-minute period a high temperature in a child who cant be encouraged to show interest in anything Breathing difficulty breathing  this looks like hard work grunting with every breath struggling to speak more than a few words at once (for older children who normally talk) breathing that obviously pauses Eating and drinking no interest in feeding (child under 1 month) not drinking for more than 8 hours (when awake) black, green or bloody vomit Body a soft spot on a babys head that bulges sunken eyes a baby thats floppy a child that cant be encouraged to show interest in anything weak, whining or continuous crying in a younger child confusion in an older child irritableness unresponsive stiffness in the neck, especially when trying to look up or down not had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours Go to A&E or call 999 if your child: is very lethargic or difficult to wake feels abnormally cold to touch is breathing very fast has a rash that does not fade when you press it has a fit or convulsion Trust your instincts and phone 111 if your childs symptoms are getting worse or they are sicker than youd expect (even if their temperature falls). Sepsis symptoms in older children and adults Early symptoms of sepsis may include: a high temperature (fever) or low body temperature chills and shivering a fast heartbeat fast breathing Symptoms of severe sepsis or septic shock In some cases, symptoms of more severe sepsis or septic shock (when your blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level) develop. These can include: feeling dizzy or faint a change in mental state  like confusion or disorientation diarrhoea nausea and vomiting slurred speech severe muscle pain severe breathlessness less urine production than normal  for example, not urinating for a day cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin loss of consciousness Phone 999 or go to A&E if: youve recently had an infection or injury and you have possible signs of sepsis you think you or someone in your care has severe sepsis or septic shock Dont be afraid to ask the healthcare professional is this sepsis?. Treating sepsis Treatment for sepsis varies, depending on the: area affected cause of the infection organs affected extent of any damage If you have the early signs of sepsis, youll usually be referred to hospital. Youll then be given a diagnosis and treatment. Emergency treatment Youll need emergency treatment, or treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU), if: the sepsis is severe you develop septic shock  when your blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level ICUs can support body functions like breathing that are affected by sepsis. This allows the medical staff to focus on treating the infection. Sepsis is treatable if its identified and treated quickly. In most cases it leads to full recovery with no lasting problems. Antibiotics The main treatment for sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock is antibiotics . These will be given directly into a vein (intravenously). Ideally, antibiotic treatment should start within an hour of diagnosis. Intravenous antibiotics are usually replaced by tablets after 2 to 4 days. You may have to take them for 7 to 10 days or longer, depending on the severity of your condition. Types of antibiotics If sepsis is suspected, broad-spectrum antibiotics are given first. This is because there wont be time to wait until a specific type of infection has been identified. Broad-spectrum antibiotics work against a wide range of known infectious bacteria. They usually cure most common infections. Once a specific bacterium has been identified, a more focused antibiotic can be used. Viral infections If the sepsis is caused by a virus, antibiotics wont work. However, it would be too dangerous to delay treatment to find out the specific cause. This means antibiotics are usually given anyway. With a viral infection, youll need to wait until your immune system starts to tackle it. However, antiviral medication may be given in some cases. Intravenous fluids If you have sepsis, your body needs more fluid to prevent dehydration and kidney failure. If you have severe sepsis or septic shock, youll usually be given fluids intravenously for the first 24 to 48 hours. Its important that the doctors know how much urine your kidneys are making when you have sepsis. This helps them spot signs of kidney failure. If youre admitted with severe sepsis or septic shock, youll usually be given a catheter . This is inserted into your bladder to monitor your urine output. Oxygen Your bodys oxygen demand goes up if you have sepsis. If youre admitted to hospital with sepsis and the level of oxygen in your blood is low, youll usually be given oxygen. This is given through a mask or tubes in your nostrils. Treating the source of infection If a source of the infection can be identified, like an abscess or infected wound, this will also need to be treated. For example, any pus may need to be drained away. In more serious cases, surgery may be needed to remove the infected tissue and repair any damage. Increasing blood pressure Medications called vasopressors are used if you have low blood pressure caused by sepsis. Vasopressors are normally given intravenously while youre in an ICU. Extra fluids may also be given intravenously to help increase blood pressure. Other treatments You may require additional treatments like: corticosteroids insulin medication a blood transfusion mechanical ventilation  where a machine is used to help you breathe dialysis  where a machine filters your blood to copy the function of your kidneys These treatments are mostly used in ICUs. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 16 August 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. 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