Sep 11 SEPSIS: Suspect it, Say it, Stop it.

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

Sep 11, 2025 05:00 PM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney.

Presented by: Dr Paul Huggan – Consultant, Infectious Disease at Te Whatu Ora Waikato, Honorary Senior Lecturer, University of Auckland, Founding Trustee – Sepsis Trust NZ.

Timed to lead into World Sepsis Day, this webinar focuses on recognising and responding to sepsis in everyday healthcare settings. It features a powerful account from Geoff, a farmer and sepsis survivor, who will share his personal experience of illness, hospitalisation, and recovery. Following this, the Sepsis Trust’s co-founder, Dr Paul Huggan, an infectious disease and acute medicine physician, will present the latest evidence on sepsis, red flag symptoms, practical assessment tools, and culturally responsive approaches to care. Paul will also be sharing details of the brand new HQSC sepsis quality improvement package.

More information and registration.