Symptom på sepsis hos vuxna
Adult sepsis safety net
Granskad av Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP Senast uppdaterad av Dr Krishna Vakharia, MRCGPSenast uppdaterad 10 feb 2023
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I denna serie:SepsisSymptom på sepsis hos barn
Sepsis is a severe condition that can be fatal if not caught early. Signs and symptoms can be vague or severe. This leaflet will let you know what symptoms to look out for.
Överblick
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition needing immediate hospital treatment.
Around 250,000 people are diagnosed with sepsis in the UK each year.
Sepsis symptoms include slurred speech, confusion, extreme shivering, or severe breathlessness.
Other symptoms can be very high or low temperature, dizziness, or a rash that doesn't fade.
If you suspect sepsis, call emergency services (999) or your GP immediately.
This leaflet was originally produced in collaboration with The UK Sepsis Trust - it has since been updated. This charity is committed to raising awareness of sepsis and improving the care of patients with sepsis.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and needs emergency treatment in hospital. The symptoms of sepsis may be vague and not specific so seek medical advice immediately if you have any concerns. Any delays in treatment can be fatal.
Every year in the UK, there are around 250,000 people diagnosed with sepsis. 52,000 people die (1,000 children). This means a quarter of people who have sepsis will die if not treated early. There has been a huge drive for its recognition by patients and doctors. In fact, GPs need to repeat their training yearly to recognise this and let patients know what to look for and when to seek help.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
You should always seek help if you, or anyone you're with, develops symptoms as below:
Vlurred speech or confusion.
Extreme shivering or muscle pain.
Passing no urine (in a day - 18 hours).
Vevere breathlessness.
It feels like you're going to die.
Vkin is mottled or discoloured.
Other severe symptoms which could suggest sepsis include:
VERY high temperature (fever above 38°C ) or low body temperature (feels very cold- lower than 36°C).
Feeling very sleepy or about to lose consciousness.
Severe tummy (abdominal) pain.
Feeling very dizzy or faint, or having a fit (seizure).
A rash which does not fade with pressure. The glass test can be used - pressing a clear glass over the rash - the rash should fade; if it doesn't, you must call an ambulance immediately.
Not eating any food or drinking any fluid.
Being sick (vomiting) repeatedly.
If you do have sepsis you may also have other symptoms of infection such as a flu-like illness (cough, fever, muscle aches and joint pains) or diarrhoea and vomiting.
Early treatment saves lives. Call an emergency ambulance - 999 in the UK - if you are very concerned. Call your GP immediately if you're concerned but don't think you need to go straight to hospital. If there is any delay in talking to a doctor then call an ambulance immediately.
Patientval för Hjärnhinneinflammation och sepsis

Infektioner
Meningokockinfektion
Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, is a germ (bacterium). Infection with meningococcus is uncommon but is very serious and can be life-threatening.
av Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP

Infektioner
Hjärnhinneinflammation
Meningit är en inflammation i vävnaderna runt hjärnan. Det är ett allvarligt tillstånd, orsakat av olika typer av bakterier, virus och svampar. Infektionen som orsakar meningit leder ofta också till en blodinfektion (detta kallas sepsis) som kan vara livshotande. Om du misstänker meningit - sök medicinsk hjälp omedelbart.
av Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
Vanliga frågor
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment in a hospital. It's crucial to seek medical advice immediately if you have any concerns, as delays in treatment can be fatal.
Is sepsis the same as blood poisoning?
The article uses the terms interchangeably by stating that sepsis is a life-threatening condition, and that historically it might have been referred to as 'blood poisoning'. Regardless of the term, immediate medical attention is necessary.
What should I do if I suspect sepsis?
If you are very concerned, you should call an emergency ambulance (999 in the UK) immediately. If your concern is not as urgent but you still suspect sepsis, call your GP immediately. Any delay in speaking to a doctor means you should call an ambulance.
Are there any specific symptoms in children that indicate sepsis?
While the article mentions that 1,000 children die from sepsis each year, it does not specify symptoms unique to children. The general symptoms listed apply across age groups, and any of these in a child should prompt immediate medical attention.
Why is early recognition and treatment so important for sepsis?
Early treatment saves lives. A quarter of people who have sepsis will die if they do not receive treatment quickly. This highlights the critical importance of prompt recognition and intervention to improve outcomes.
Vidare läsning och referenser
- Sepsis - recognition, diagnosis and early management; NICE Guideline (July 2016 - updated January 2024)
Om författarenVisa fullständig biografi

Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
Allmänläkare, Medicinsk Författare
MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH
Dr Colin Tidy är en NHS-läkare, baserad i Oxfordshire.
Om recensentenVisa fullständig biografi

Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP
Allmänläkare, Medicinsk Författare
MBChB (1992), DRCOG, DFFP, MRCOG (Part 1) MRCGP (2007), DFSRH (2013), MSc - medical education (2020)
Dr Hayley Willacy var en NHS-läkare som arbetade i nordvästra England och gick i pension från klinisk praktik 2022 efter 30 år.
Artikelhistorik
Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.
Artikeln finns också på Engelska, Tyska, Spanska, Franska, Italienska, Portugisiska, Hindi, Hebreiska, Arabiska, och Svenska.
Next review due: 6 Jan 2028
10 feb 2023 | Senaste versionen
7 Dec 2017 | Ursprungligen publicerad
Författad av:
Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP

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