Sepsis is the body's overwhelming, life-threatening response to infection. It can affect any age, any infection, any time. It kills an estimated 11 million people worldwide every year — more than any single cancer. Many of those deaths are preventable, if the warning signs are recognised early enough.
The six signs in adults
The UK Sepsis Trust uses the SEPSIS acronym to help the public remember the most important warning signs in adults. If someone is acutely unwell and showing any one of these, treat it as a medical emergency.
Slurred speech or confusion
Sudden change in mental state, unable to focus, not making sense.
Extreme shivering or muscle pain
Severe shaking, severe muscle ache, fever or feeling very cold.
Passing no urine
No urine output for a day, or unusually little.
Severe breathlessness
Unable to catch breath, gasping, breathing very fast.
"I feel I might die"
An overwhelming sense of impending doom. Take it seriously.
Skin mottled or discoloured
Pale, blotchy, blue or grey patches on the skin.
If you suspect sepsis, act immediately
Go straight to A&E or call 999 (UK), 112 (France & EU), or 911 (US). Tell them clearly: "I am worried about sepsis." Those words matter. They trigger a different clinical pathway.
The signs in children
In children, the signs are slightly different. Seek emergency help if a child is:
- Breathing very fast
- Having a fit or convulsion
- Looking mottled, bluish or pale
- Having a rash that does not fade when pressed
- Very lethargic or difficult to wake
- Abnormally cold to the touch
For babies under five, also look for: not feeding, vomiting repeatedly, no urine output for 12 hours.
What to say at hospital
If you or someone you love is unwell and you are worried about sepsis, do not soften it. Use the word. Say:
"I am worried this might be sepsis. Could it be sepsis?"
That single question changes the clinical pathway. It triggers checks that should happen within an hour, including blood tests, lactate measurement, and the most important intervention of all — antibiotics if sepsis is suspected.
Why time matters
The peer-reviewed evidence is clear. Each hour of delay in administering antibiotics in septic shock increases mortality by approximately 7.6% (Kumar et al., 2006). Sepsis is one of the most time-sensitive medical emergencies we know of. Faster recognition saves lives.
Sources & further reading
This page draws on guidance from UK Sepsis Trust, Sepsis Alliance, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline NG51. Always seek qualified medical advice for specific clinical situations.