What is sepsis?
Sepsis is the body’s life-threatening reaction to an infection. It basically means that the immune system is attacking not only the infection it is trying to fight but also the body’s own tissues and organs. It can be triggered by any type of infection and can affect anyone.
Very young children can be more susceptible to sepsis and can be more severely affected so early recognition is vital especially with the extra infections that we are seeing this year.
What are the symptoms?
The early warning signs and symptoms in babies and children include:
- 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
- Feeling cold to touch and has mottled, pale skin
- A very high or low temperature
- Bluish skin or lips
- Having a fit or convulsion
- Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- Vomiting or has diarrhoea
- Very lethargic/difficult to wake
- Little or no urine output
- Developing a rash which doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it
They may not have all of these symptoms.
Above all though, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. If you feel your child is seriously unwell please seek medical advice as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask the question, “could it be sepsis?”.
Sepsis kills 5 people every hour in the UK but with early detection it can be treated with antibiotics and the child can go on to make a full recovery.
Please SHARE this article with all the parents you know to help others to recognise the symptoms.
For more information visit the NHS website.