Sepsis
Life-threatening infection response — recognition and emergency management
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It is a medical emergency — around 250,000 people develop sepsis in the UK each year, and early recognition and treatment saves lives. Think Sepsis. Act Fast.
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis occurs when an infection — such as pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, an abdominal infection, or a wound infection — triggers an overwhelming immune response. Instead of simply fighting the infection, the body's own defence systems begin to damage tissues and organs throughout the body. This can lead to septic shock — a dangerous drop in blood pressure — and ultimately multi-organ failure, which can be fatal. Sepsis can affect anyone, but those most at risk include babies and very young children, elderly people, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Causes & Risk Factors
Any infection can potentially trigger sepsis, but the most common sources include lung infections (pneumonia), urinary tract infections, abdominal infections (such as appendicitis or bowel perforation), skin infections, meningitis, and infections related to surgery or medical procedures. Bacteria are the most frequent cause, but viruses and fungi can also trigger sepsis. Risk factors include age (very young and very old), recent surgery or hospitalisation, indwelling medical devices (urinary catheters, intravenous lines), immunosuppression (including chemotherapy, steroids, or HIV), pregnancy, poorly controlled diabetes, and chronic organ disease. Many people who develop sepsis were previously fit and healthy.
Recognition — The Sepsis 6
Sepsis can present in many ways, but common features include a high or very low temperature, rapid heart rate (more than 90 beats per minute), rapid breathing (more than 20 breaths per minute), confusion or altered mental state, extreme shivering or muscle pain, and not passing urine for many hours. In children, look for a mottled or bluish skin colour, extreme sleepiness, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or breathing that is very fast or difficult. The UK Sepsis Trust and NHS use the Sepsis 6 bundle — a set of six clinical actions to be taken within one hour of recognition — as the cornerstone of treatment. Prompt clinical evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential, as sepsis can deteriorate rapidly. If in doubt, always seek urgent medical attention.
Emergency Response
Sepsis is a 999 emergency. If you suspect sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E immediately — do not wait and see. Early treatment dramatically improves survival: for every hour that passes without antibiotics in septic shock, mortality increases. Hospital treatment includes high-flow oxygen, intravenous fluids to support blood pressure, intravenous antibiotics given within one hour of recognition, blood tests including blood cultures and lactate measurement, and close monitoring of urine output and organ function. Most patients will require monitoring in a high-dependency or intensive care unit. After recovering from sepsis, many people experience long-term physical, psychological, and cognitive effects — known as post-sepsis syndrome. This is normal and support is available through organisations such as the UK Sepsis Trust.