Think it could be sepsis? Call 999 or go to A&E now.
Sepsis: trust your instincts
Sepsis is a serious reaction to an infection that can be life-threatening. It develops very quickly and needs urgent treatment in hospital.
Source: NHS website – Sepsis (opens in a new tab). Information from the NHS website.
When to call 999 or go to A&E
Call 999 or go to A&E if an adult or child aged 5 years or over:
- is breathing very fast
- is confused, has slurred speech, or is not making sense
- has blue, pale or blotchy skin – on black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- has a very high or very low temperature, feels hot or cold to the touch, or is shivery
- has a rash that does not fade when you press it
- has symptoms you're worried might be sepsis
Call 999 or go to A&E if a baby or child under 5 years:
- is breathing very fast or having difficulty breathing – they may make grunting noises or their tummy may be sucking under their ribcage when they breathe
- has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- has a rash that does not fade when you press it
- has a very high temperature – 38°C or more in babies under 3 months old, or 39°C or more in babies 3 to 6 months old
- has a very low temperature – less than 36°C, or feels cold to the touch or is shivery
- has a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry
- is not responding like they normally do, is not feeding, is difficult to wake or is more sleepy than usual
- has not had a pee for the last 12 hours
- has symptoms you're worried might be sepsis
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Bring any medicines you take with you.
Source: NHS website – Sepsis (opens in a new tab). Information from the NHS website.
Trust your instincts. A child or adult with sepsis might not have every symptom listed. Get immediate medical help if you or your child are unwell and you think there's something seriously wrong.
Source: NHS website – Sepsis (opens in a new tab). Information from the NHS website.
If you've already had medical advice but remain worried or symptoms worsen, seek medical help again.
Symptoms of sepsis
Sepsis usually develops quickly over a few hours.
Symptoms of sepsis in babies and children
- difficulty breathing or breathing very fast
- having a fit (seizure)
- a high or low temperature – feeling very hot or cold when you touch them
- blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- a rash that does not fade when you press it – this type of rash is rare in sepsis, but it may be a symptom of meningitis
- being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
- not peeing in the last 12 hours (for babies and children under 5 years), or not peeing all day (for children 5 years and over) – you can check a baby's nappy to see if it's dry
Babies and children under 5 years may also not be interested in feeding or they may keep being sick (vomiting).
Symptoms of sepsis in adults
- confusion or slurred speech
- uncontrollable shivering
- muscle pain
- difficulty breathing
- blue, pale, grey or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- a high or low temperature – a high temperature is less common in older adults
- not peeing all day or peeing very little in the past 18 hours
When symptoms are harder to spot
Symptoms of sepsis can be more difficult to notice in some people, such as:
- babies and young children
- people with dementia
- people with a learning disability
- people who have difficulty communicating
Source: NHS website – Sepsis (opens in a new tab). Information from the NHS website.
If you are worried someone in hospital is getting worse
Tell the care team if you are worried that someone in hospital is getting worse.
If you remain worried and feel your concerns are not being addressed, you can request a rapid review by a different team through Martha's Rule, where it is available.
Ask hospital staff for the Martha's Rule phone number, or look for it on hospital posters or the hospital's website.
Martha's Rule is being introduced in adult and children's hospital wards in England. It is not yet available in every hospital or on every ward.
You can also ask for a second opinion about a diagnosis or treatment plan. This is separate from Martha's Rule.
What causes sepsis?
Any type of infection can lead to sepsis, but bacterial infections are the most common cause, including:
- chest infections (pneumonia)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- abdominal infections, such as appendicitis
- skin infections, such as cellulitis or infected wounds
Who is at greater risk?
Anyone can get sepsis, but there's a higher chance of getting it if:
- a baby is under 12 months
- you're over 75 years
- you're pregnant, have given birth, or had an abortion or a miscarriage in the past 6 weeks
- your immune system is weakened because you have a condition like HIV or sickle cell disease, you're having chemotherapy, or you're taking corticosteroids or immunosuppressants
- you have a burn, cut or wound, or a skin infection like cellulitis
- you have a catheter (a tube used to empty pee from your bladder and collect it in a drainage bag)
- you inject illegal drugs or misuse alcohol
Source: NHS website – Sepsis (opens in a new tab). Information from the NHS website.
In England, 23,628 deaths registered in 2025 had sepsis recorded as an underlying cause or a contributing factor.
Source: NHS England – Sepsis modern service framework (opens in a new tab) (Office for National Statistics data)
Reducing your risk
It is not always possible to prevent sepsis, but you can help prevent the infections that can lead to it:
- Keep up to date with vaccines, particularly for babies, children, older people and pregnant women.
- Clean and care for any wounds.
- Take antibiotics exactly as your prescriber tells you.
- Wash your hands regularly, and teach children how to wash their hands well.
You cannot catch sepsis from another person.
After sepsis
Sepsis is a serious condition, and it can take weeks or months to recover. There are some things you can do to help during this time:
- be patient and give yourself plenty of time – try not to rush your recovery
- try to get enough sleep – adults usually need 7 to 9 hours' sleep each night
- eat a healthy, balanced diet – if you have a reduced appetite, eating smaller meals more frequently may help
- exercise regularly, but start slowly and build up gradually
- keep a diary to track your progress – you can record things like your sleep, exercise and any symptoms you have
- talk to your partner or a friend about how you're feeling – you can also contact The UK Sepsis Trust and speak to a support nurse
Post-sepsis syndrome (PSS)
If you've had sepsis, there's a chance you may get post-sepsis syndrome (PSS). PSS can cause many different physical, emotional and psychological symptoms including:
- feeling very tired
- hearing loss
- nerve damage that may cause numbness or weakness in your hands and feet
- problems with your organs, such as your heart, kidneys and lungs
- depression, anxiety, and loss of confidence and self-esteem
- cognitive problems, such as memory loss and finding it difficult to concentrate
Everyone who gets PSS is affected differently. It often lasts 6 to 18 months, but some people take much longer to recover. Treatment for PSS involves treating the symptoms, and may include physiotherapy, counselling and additional help and support.
Repeat infections
If you've had sepsis, you may have a higher chance of getting other infections because of damage to your immune system.
Call NHS 111 if you or your child have had sepsis in the past 12 months and have symptoms of an infection, such as a very high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child have symptoms you're worried might be sepsis.
Source: NHS website – Sepsis (opens in a new tab). Information from the NHS website.
In Northern Ireland, for urgent advice contact your GP or the GP out-of-hours service.
Source: nidirect – Urgent and emergency care services (opens in a new tab)
More information
Charities that can help
The UK Sepsis Trust (registered charity 1158843, England and Wales; SC050277, Scotland)
The UK Sepsis Trust provides help and support for anyone affected by sepsis, including family, friends and carers. You can speak to one of its support nurses.
Source: NHS website – Sepsis (opens in a new tab)
- Get support and recovery information from the UK Sepsis Trust (opens in a new tab)
- Support helpline: 0808 800 0029. This is a support line for people affected by sepsis, not an emergency line.
Back to stroke, sepsis and meningitis
This page is for signposting only. All information comes from the sources linked beside it. In an emergency, call 999. For urgent medical advice when it is not an emergency, use NHS 111 (opens in a new tab) in England, NHS 24 on 111 (opens in a new tab) in Scotland or NHS 111 Wales (opens in a new tab). In Northern Ireland, contact your GP or GP out-of-hours service (opens in a new tab).
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Sources last checked: 21 October 2026.