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?