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Sepsis

About sepsis

Immediate action required: 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 rare but 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 can't be identified.

Infections linked to sepsis
  • appendicitis – infection in the appendix
  • cellulitis – a skin infection that can be caused by an intravenous catheter that's 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 it's 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

Who’s 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 person's 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