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Sepsis - spotting the signs
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a rare but serious reaction to an infection. If you get an infection, your body's immune system responds by trying to fight it. Sepsis is when this immune system response becomes overactive and starts to cause damage to the body itself. It can be hard to tell if you have sepsis. Your child might have a fever or high temperature or just feel very unwell. Sepsis needs to be treated urgently because it can quickly get worse and lead to septic shock (low blood pressure and or a fast heart rate)
Who is more at risk of sepsis?
Children who have:
- not been immunised
- recently had surgery, trauma or minor procedures
- weak immune systems due to illness or drugs (like chemotherapy)
- recently had a serious illness (including chicken pox)
- chronic diseases (children with cerebral palsy or cystic fibrosis)
Babies:
- born prematurely
- younger than 1 year
- whose mother had an infection while pregnant.
How do I know if my child has sepsis?
If you think your child might have an infection and is more unwell than you expect or is getting worse despite treatment, it could be sepsis. Sepsis can look like other conditions, for example flu or a chest infection. Sepsis can be especially hard to spot in babies and young children, children and young people with a learning disability.
The diagnosis of sepsis is based on simple measurements of vital signs such as temperature, heart rate and blood pressure.
How to take a temperature
You should use a digital thermometer, which you can buy in supermarkets and pharmacies.
This should be under the armpit for children 5 years and younger and in the mouth for children over 5 years of age.
You could also use an in-the-ear thermometer for children over six months of age.
When should you worry?
If your child is:
- Under 3 months old with a temperature of more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless it is a fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations that has no other red features)
- Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Breathing that stops or pauses
- Pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
- Finding it difficult to wake up or feels very sleepy or confused
- Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
- Experiencing a fit (seizure)
- Showing a rash that does not go away with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’)
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
- Is 3-6 months old with temperature 39°C or above (unless it is a fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations that has no other red or amber features)
- Temperature of 38°C or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever (rigors)
- Temperature less than 36°C in those over 3 months
- Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
- Dry skin, lips or tongue
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in the last 8 hours
- Poor feeding in babies (less than half of their usual amount)
- Irritable (Unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or hugs even after their fever has come down)
- Swelling of a limb or joint
-
Not using or putting weight on an arm, leg, hand or foot
-
Complaining of severe pain that is not improving with painkillers
- Has had chickenpox in the past few days and is now getting worse with a high fever or spreading red rash
- Any of the above symptoms worsening, causing you to worry.
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If none of the above features are present
- Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms.
- If your child has any other symptoms associated with their fever, you may want to look at the information on sore throat, cough, earache, diarrhoea and vomiting or tummy ache or our other illness pages.
- Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of healthy babies – click here.
- If your child has a long-term condition or disability and you are worried, please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature and they are feeling well enough to attend.
This guidance was last reviewed 20/12/2024.
What do I do if I am worried my child has sepsis?
- Get advice from a doctor or healthcare professional or ring 111
- Your child will need to be examined and have a set of vital signs measured (temperature, heart rate and blood pressure)
- Remember most children with fevers or who are unwell don’t have sepsis.
Tests
There is no one test to see if your child has sepsis. The tests to look for the infection will vary depending on their age, symptoms and medical history. They can include blood tests, urine tests, chest X-rays and occasionally lumbar puncture (needle in the back to collect spinal fluid).
Your healthcare team should talk to you about any tests or procedures they would like to do, what will happen and what they are for.
Remember
If you're worried that your child or baby is not getting better, still seems unwell or is not themselves, you should talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional. It is important to ask for advice if you're worried, even if you have already seen a doctor, are still having treatment, or are back home. This is because the problems caused by sepsis can come on very quickly, and you may need more (or different) treatment. You should always feel that you can ask questions at any point in your care.
Symptoms of sepsis - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
NICE have produced the below PDF guidelines for people affected by sepsis and the staff who treat and support them.
Sepsis: what to look out for and what care you should expect (nice.org.uk)
If caught quickly, sepsis is often treatable. This is why we need everyone to take five minutes to get SepsisSavvy!
Get SepsisSavvy
Where should you seek help?
- If it is non-urgent, speak to your local pharmacist or health visitor.
- If your child has any of the above features, urgently see your GP or contact NHS 111.
- You should only call 999 or go your nearest A&E department in critical or life threatening situations
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals. For example, for hearing or vision concerns they can refer you to the community paediatricians or to the child and Adolescent Mental Health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local children’s centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals. For example, for hearing or vision concerns they can refer you to the community paediatricians or to the child and Adolescent Mental Health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local children’s centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
School nurses care for children and young people aged 5-19 and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
School nurses care for children and young people aged 5-19 and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
Sound advice
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.