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

Resources

Digital

Journeying through paediatric sepsis

Queensland children health experts explain the impact and treatment of sepsis.

Digital

Spleen Australia

People without a functioning spleen have a lifelong risk of getting a serious bacterial infection.…

Report

POST SEPSIS SYNDROME

Post-sepsis syndrome (PSS) is a condition that affects up to 50% of sepsis survivors. It…

Digital

healthdirect

healthdirect is an Australian government-funded service designed to provide accessible, reliable health information and advice.…

Fact Sheets

Sepsis Challenge

#SepsisChallenge How-to Guide Sepsis Australia has been working in partnership with the Australian Commission on…

Infographics

Sepsis vs Road Trauma

Infographic Road Trauma

Report

Sepsis Research

Fact Sheets

Sepsis Signs and Symptoms Infants

Sepsis can cause more rapid deterioration in young children and infants. It may not be…

Fact Sheets

Sepsis Signs and Symptoms in Adults

Sepsis is treatable if caught early. It can occur as a result of any infection,…

Report

Prospectus – APSA and SA Education Strategy Sponsorship 2023-24

We invite you to participate in the Sepsis Education Program, which brings clinicians, professional societies…

Report

Sepsis Australia – Consumer Brief on the National Sepsis Program Extension

PROJECT INITIATIVE/OVERVIEW – In 2022, The George Institute/Sepsis Australia (TGISA) lobbied the Commonwealth Government for…

Report

Sepsis Australia Consumer Partner and Advocacy Program

The Sepsis Australia Consumer Partner and Advocacy Program (SACPAP) provides opportunities to connect with others impacted by…

Resources

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Journeying through paediatric sepsis

Spleen Australia

POST SEPSIS SYNDROME

healthdirect

Sepsis Challenge

Sepsis vs Road Trauma

Sepsis Research

Sepsis Signs and Symptoms Infants

Sepsis Signs and Symptoms in Adults

Prospectus – APSA and SA Education Strategy Sponsorship 2023-24

Sepsis Australia – Consumer Brief on the National Sepsis Program Extension

Sepsis Australia Consumer Partner and Advocacy Program