JUST ASK, COULD IT BE SEPSIS?

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to any infection that progresses quickly and requires immediate attention. Know the signs and symptoms (one or all of the following may be present).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SEPSIS

Rapid breathing

Rapid heart rate

Confusion, slurred speech or disorientation

Fever or shivering

Muscle pain

Not passing urine

Discoloured skin

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO!

Early-stage sepsis:

Sufferers are generally unwell, may display one or all of the signs and symptoms, feel worse than when previously sick and there is concern
Contact healthdirect at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ OR Call 1800 022 222 (24 hours) and ask…could it be sepsis?

Later stage sepsis:

Sufferers are seriously unwell, likely to display significant changes in multiple signs and symptoms, feel like they might die and there is serious concern
CALL 000 Ambulance or if quicker go immediately to the closest Emergency Department and ask….could it be sepsis?

Key considerations:

If concerned get advice immediately
If seriously concerned get treatment immediately
Inflammation due to infection is normal but in sepsis the inflammation response is uncontrolled, it may start mildly but rapidly escalate to critical illness
Sepsis is difficult to recognise as it may not have an obvious cause, it can look like viral or bacterial illnesses such as flu, gastro or urinary tract infection
Trust your intuition…if it doesn’t feel right TAKE ACTION and always ask…could it be sepsis?

symptom checker Call 000

Sepsis Australia National Consumer Symposium 2026

Thank you for joining us for the National Sepsis Australia Consumer Symposium 2026.

On 30 July 2026 the National Sepsis Australia Consumer Symposium brought together sepsis advocates including survivors, families and loved ones, those bereaved by sepsis, Sepsis Australia and Sepsis Support Research Program teams to shape future research, post sepsis care and support, and the Australian-Stopping Sepsis National Action Plan (2.0) that provides the roadmap to improving prevention and reducing the burden of sepsis

program agenda Program presentations

The current national and global burden of sepsis and initiatives being undertaken were presented to set the scene for Symposium participants

Lived experience shaping national sepsis priorities

The Symposium engaged with those who have lived experience of sepsis through working groups to determine the national priorities and to co-design initiatives for sepsis prevention, coordinated care, post sepsis support and research.

Essential requirements for improving survivorship and support were identified and prioritised during the SEPSIS SUPPORT Research Program workgroup discussions with a report on the outcomes produced (add button with link to pdf report document)”

VIEW the Sepsis Support Research Program report

For more information on the SEPSIS SUPPORT Research Program and to tell us what you think is important for sepsis survivorship and support, see this page and complete the Q’Sort Survey

Shaping Australia’s National Sepsis Action Plan for the Next Five Years

Workgroups reviewed the consumer led and prioritised draft Australian-Stopping Sepsis National Action Plan (Au-SSNAP) 2.0 with a focus on the four Strategic Pillars and 16 recommendations that will underpin the national roadmap for sepsis action over the next five years i.e.

Leadership, Advocacy and Preparedness
Awareness, Education and Prevention
Coordinated Care and Post Sepsis Support
Data, Surveillance and Research

Workgroup feedback and insights, currently being incorporated into the draft Au-SSNAP, are invaluable for refining the five-year roadmap and ensuring its goals and objectives are appropriately targeted and meaningful to those with the lived experience of sepsis.

Sepsis advocacy and awareness raising initiatives being led by those with lived experience of sepsis and their communities were showcased providing inspiration to participants on what is possible when the voice of those affected by sepsis is heard.

Most importantly the Symposium was about connection, collaboration and combined action informed by real life experience. Sepsis survivors, families and carers, and those who have lost loved ones shared their stories and made new friends who truly understand what they have been through – this opportunity cannot be underestimated in terms of supporting recovery, helping to deal with the grief sepsis can cause, and in maintaining the strength and resilience to move forward – by knowing those affected by sepsis are not alone.