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

Invitation to contribute to research into post sepsis care for children

Has your child been diagnosed with sepsis?
Are you a parent/carer who is bereaved due to sepsis?
Have you provided health care to children diagnosed with sepsis or parents/carers bereaved due to sepsis?

Sepsis can have long-lasting effects on children and families. Research shows that 28-34% of children who survive sepsis experience ongoing diminished health and quality of life. Families whose child dies from sepsis also experience significant grief and trauma.

Despite these impacts, there are still significant gaps in the care and support for children and families after sepsis. We are conducting a study to understand what good care after paediatric sepsis should look like in Australia. Our goal is to develop a practical model of care that better supports children who survive sepsis, their families, and families whose child has died from sepsis.

We want this model to be shaped by the people who understand these experiences

There are different ways to be involved. You may choose to:

Complete a survey – a way to provide feedback in your own time (about 20–30 minutes)
Take part in an interview – a one-on-one conversation where you can share your experiences (about 1 hour)
Take part in a group discussion with other parents and carers (about 1 hour)
Become a member of the Consumer Advisory Group (parents/carers only) – This group will help guide the research team in improving care and support for children and families affected by sepsis

Your experience and knowledge may help

Improve follow-up care for children after sepsis.
Improve support for children and families.
Improve care and support for bereaved families.
Guide future health services and policies.
Improve care for children and families affected by sepsis in the future.

This study is an ethically approved (HREC/2026/QCH2126779) collaboration between two research programs. The Paediatric Post Sepsis Model of Care project is being led by Queensland University of Technology in partnership with Queensland Paediatric Sepsis Program, Children’s Health Queensland, The George Institute for Global Health, Sepsis Australia, Health Translation Queensland, Clinical Excellence Queensland, The University of Queensland, and Queensland Family and Child Commission.

This study is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

For further information or questions, please contact Professor Debbie Long (da.long@qut.edu.au) or Alana English (Alana.English@health.qld.gov.au)