Did you know? - Sepsis in Children

Did you know any child can get an infection, and almost any infection can lead to sepsis - the body's extreme response to an infection.

Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.

Sepsis can be very hard to identify. Many of its signs are also common in routine childhood illness.

But trust your instincts.

A child may have sepsis if he or she:

• Is breathing very fast
• has a 'fit' or convulsion
• looks mottled, bluish or pale
• has a rash that does not fade when you press it
• is very lethargic or difficult to wake
• feels abnormally cold to touch

If you suspect sepsis call 111 or contact your GP if you're worried about an infection.

Call 999 or visit A&E if someone has one of the sepsis symptoms.

For more information please visit www.sepsis.org

Published on 27 November 2023