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

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…

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,…

Digital

Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA)

Sepsis Australia operates within an ecosystem of health and sepsis focused organisations and individual champions…

Digital

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (USA)

Links to useful resources for awareness events, education, protocol and pathway development, research and quality…

Report

Life after sepsis: a guide for survivors, carers and bereaved families

A new Australian resource is now available to provide information and guidance for sepsis survivors,…

Digital

Recognise, Engage, Act, Call, Help (REACH) Toolkit NSW – CEC

REACH is a system that helps patients, carer/s, and families to escalate their concerns with…

Report

Program Evaluation – Sepsis alert in the electronic medical record NSW – CEC

Fact Sheets

Lactate (Sheet) NSW Gov | Clinical Excellence Commission

Resources for paediatric sepsis clinical care

Digital

Guidelines, Education and Family Resources (QLD) – QPSP

Resources for paediatric sepsis clinical care.

Digital

Sepsis – Recognition and emergency management in children

This document provides guidance for all staff involved in the care and management of children…

Resources

Filter by search

Filter by Categories

Filter by Type

healthdirect

Sepsis Challenge

Sepsis Signs and Symptoms Infants

Sepsis Signs and Symptoms in Adults

Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (USA)

Life after sepsis: a guide for survivors, carers and bereaved families

Recognise, Engage, Act, Call, Help (REACH) Toolkit NSW – CEC

Program Evaluation – Sepsis alert in the electronic medical record NSW – CEC

Lactate (Sheet) NSW Gov | Clinical Excellence Commission

Guidelines, Education and Family Resources (QLD) – QPSP

Sepsis – Recognition and emergency management in children