What is sepsis?

Sepsis is life-threatening. It needs to be treated quickly. It happens when your body's response to an infection damages your vital organs. Vital organs are your heart, lungs and brain. Anyone can get sepsis. People at higher risk include:

  • Those with a weak immune system
  • Older people
  • Pregnant or recently pregnant people
  • Babies and very young children
  • People with illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, AIDS, and kidney or liver disease
  • People who have recently had surgery or another procedure
  • People with cuts, burns, blisters or skin infections

Symptoms of sepsis include:

  • Very high or very low body temperature
  • Fast heart beat
  • Fast breathing
  • Feeling very tired
  • Headache
  • Chest pain
  • Seizure (in children)

Sepsis can kill, call an ambulance on 000 if you think you or your child has it.