Symptoms of sepsis – NHS

Check if it’s sepsis

Sepsis is life threatening. It can be hard to spot.

There are lots of possible symptoms. They can be like symptoms of other conditions, including flu or a chest infection.

If you think you or someone you look after has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E. Trust your instincts.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

A baby or young child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:

• blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black 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 roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
• difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
• a weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
• not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
• being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake

They may not have all these symptoms.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

An adult or older child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:

• acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
• blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black 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 roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
• difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast

They may not have all these symptoms.

Urgent advice: Call 111 now if:

You, your child or someone you look after:

• feels very unwell or like there’s something seriously wrong
• has not had a pee all day (for adults and older children) or in the last 12 hours (for babies and young children)
• keeps vomiting and cannot keep any food or milk down (for babies and young children)
• has swelling or pain around a cut or wound
• has a very high or low temperature, feels hot or cold to the touch, or is shivering

Do not worry if you’re not sure if it’s sepsis – it’s still best to call 111.

They can tell you what to do, arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor, or call you an ambulance.

Sepsis can be especially hard to spot in:

• babies and young children
• people with dementia
• people with a learning disability
• people who have difficulty communicating

Information:

Further information on sepsis for people with a learning disability and their carers:

• NHS England: easy read information about sepsis for people with a learning disability
• YouTube: NHS Sherwood Forest Hospitals video about sepsis for people with a learning disability
• YouTube: NHS Sherwood Forest Hospitals video about sepsis for families and carers of people with a learning disability

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection.

It happens when your immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body’s own tissues and organs.

You cannot catch sepsis from another person.

Sepsis is sometimes called septicaemia or blood poisoning.

Page last reviewed: 05 September 2022
Next review due: 05 September 2025

Can mottled skin be a sign of septicaemia and what does a sepsis rash look like?

SEPSIS is rare but serious, so it’s important that it’s treated immediately.

If you are worried that a rash you or your child has developed could be a sign of the condition, we’ve pulled together some tips for what you should be looking out for.

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It’s important to learn what a sepsis rash looks likeCredit: Alamy

What does a sepsis rash look like?

People with sepsis often develop what is called a hemorrhagic rash.

This may be a reddish discolouration, or a cluster of tiny blood spots that look like pinpricks in the skin.

If left untreated, these dark dots gradually get bigger and begin to look like fresh bruises.

They then join together to form larger areas of purple discoloration.

If you or someone you know has a rash that you’re worried could be a sign of sepsis, try pressing it down.

A sepsis rash won’t fade with pressure so it can help indicate if you need to get help.

Another way to keep an eye on the rash is to mark on your skin where it is each hour, if it is spreading fast – call for help.

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A haemorrhagic rash looks like red pin pricks on the skinCredit: Alamy

Can mottled skin be a sign of septicaemia?

Yes, it can.

According to the NHS, you should go straight to A&E or call 999 if a child under five looks mottled, bluish or pale.

In older children and adults, cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin could be a sign of sepsis or septicaemia.

Hands and feet may also be cold and clammy, even if the patient has a raised temperature.

What are the other symptoms of sepsis and septicaemia?

In children under five, the NHS recommends going straight to A&E or calling 999 if they:

• look mottled, bluish or pale
• are very lethargic or difficult to wake
• feel abnormally cold to touch
• are breathing very fast
• have a rash that does not fade when you press it
• have a fit or convulsion

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

In some cases, symptoms of more severe sepsis or septic shock (when your blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level) develop soon after.

These can include:

• feeling dizzy or faint
• a change in mental state – such as 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

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The rash can develop to look like a bruiseCredit: Infect Med

Make sure you know the difference between sepsis and septicaemia – for more information, visit the NHS website.