Am I at risk of sepsis and what are the signs, from Saga, 2025 10 13

[Colin Howard]

Greetings,

A most salutary lesson which we all should take seriously.

Would you know the symptoms of sepsis? Our expert guide explains what you
need to know and why prompt action can be lifesaving.
By Jo Waters | Published - 8 Oct 2025

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition caused by the body's immune
system going into overdrive and attacking its own tissue and organs in
response to an infection. The worst-case scenario is that it can cause organ
failure and death.

It was formerly known as septicaemia or blood poisoning. Around 245,000
people are estimated to be affected every year in the UK, with 48,000
deaths - five deaths an hour.

What causes sepsis?

"The infection that triggers sepsis doesn't have to be serious. Although
pneumonia and urinary tract infections are the most common causes in older
people, something as minor as a cut to your finger can cause it," explains
Dr Ron Daniels, an NHS consultant in critical care at University Hospitals
Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and founder and chief medical officer of the
UK Sepsis Trust charity.

"A lot of cases of sepsis follow a minor viral illness and the bacterial
infection then takes opportunity to take hold. In some cases, it can start
from an infected cut, bite or sting.

"The key message is that you can survive it if the infection is treated with
antibiotics in time, which is why spotting the symptoms is so crucial."

Sepsis can follow a minor viral illness

Why are older people more at risk?

People aged 75 and over are more at risk of developing sepsis. "This is in
part due to our immune system changing and becoming a little less effective
and also because older people are more likely to have underlying medical
conditions that increase the risk of infection, such as diabetes or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)," says Dr Daniels.

"Older people are more likely to have operations or indwelling (invasive)
devices such as catheters, which also puts them at more risk of an
infection."

Other vulnerable groups at higher risk include people of any age with
chronic underlying illnesses, including those taking immunosuppressant
drugs, plus babies under one and pregnant women.

Is sepsis seasonal?

"Not directly, no," says Dr Daniels. "Cases don't peak hugely in the winter
months - you can develop it at any time of year, but sometimes there are
viruses circulating in high numbers (such as Covid or flu), or bacterial
outbreaks (such as Group A Strep), which indirectly can cause more cases."

Are sepsis cases on the increase?

"Yes, they are. This is because the population is ageing and growing and we
are doing more and more invasive procedures in older and sicker people,"
explains Dr Daniels.

"There's also the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which can make
infections harder to treat - meaning people will be more likely to develop
sepsis."

The good news, however, is that awareness of the condition is also
increasing.

What are the warning signs of sepsis?

The UK Sepsis Trust says there are six key symptoms of sepsis to look out
for, with the initial letters making up the acronym SEPSIS:

Slurred speech or confusion.

Extreme shivering or muscle pain.

Passing no urine in a day.

Severe breathlessness.

It feels like you are going to die.

Skin that's mottled, discoloured or very pale.

If someone has any one of the symptoms above and they think they have an
infection, they should go straight to A&E.

"Even if these symptoms aren't present, people should be vigilant if they
have an infection and are feeling worse than usual," says Dr Daniels. "The
first thing is for people to trust their instinct.

"People know what they normally feel like when they have an infection, or
how their loved one usually behaves, so if something seems much worse than
normal, or if someone is deteriorating when you might expect them to be
improving, then trust that instinct and go and see your GP. Or call 111 and
just ask: 'Could it be sepsis?'"

How quickly can someone deteriorate?

"In most cases, people with sepsis will go downhill within a 24-to-48-hour
window," says Dr Daniels. "For example, if you cut your finger it will be
red and a bit painful and annoying and then you might deliver a fever and
notice redness tracking up from your finger: if you start to feel very much
worse, that's when you should begin to worry.

"In a few cases, it will happen much more rapidly than that - people who've
been quite well deteriorate rapidly, with symptoms developing over a couple
of hours. Maybe their hands and feet have become cold or they've become very
confused. If that happens then that is a true medical emergency; you need to
drop everything and go to A&E or call 999 for an ambulance.

"If someone is relatively well in the afternoon but becomes very confused
and can't get up by the evening, it is a true medical emergency. For most
people, it tends to develop a little more slowly but it's still important
they seek immediate help if they develop one or more of the six symptoms."

How is sepsis diagnosed?

This can be tricky as there is no definitive single test for sepsis, but if
sepsis is suspected you should be assessed in hospital. Blood tests will be
done and your organs and other vital signs will be monitored.

There's a package of care developed by the UK Sepsis Trust called the Sepsis
Six, which, if delivered within one hour of a patient being recognised as
having sepsis, can almost double their chance of survival.

IV fluids and antibiotics can form part of the treatment for sepsis

The treatment package includes:

Calling for senior clinical help.

Giving oxygen if required.

Sending a full set of blood tests.

Giving intravenous (IV) antibiotics (or antifungals).

Administering IV fluids.

Making a clear plan for ongoing monitoring.

How is sepsis treated?

Antibiotics and control of the source of infection are the mainstays of
treatments of treating sepsis caused by bacterial infections.

"In terms of antibiotics, there isn't just one drug we rely on; it will
depend on where we think the infection is coming from," says Dr Daniels.

"If the source of the infection hasn't been identified, broad spectrum
antibiotics that act against a number of types of bacteria will be started."

Antibiotics don't treat viral or fungal infections. Fungal infections can be
treated with anti-fungal treatments; anti-viral treatments are less
effective against viral infections, though.

How long does it take to recover from sepsis?

Around 40% of sepsis survivors are estimated to suffer from physical,
cognitive and /or psychological after-effects.

"Recovery from sepsis can be slow, taking several months (from 12 to 18
months in some cases). It isn't something you always get over quickly,
especially if you've been in intensive care, have significant organ damage,
or are frail," says Dr Daniels.

If you've been affected by sepsis, you can get help and advice from the UK
Sepsis Trust nurse-led helpline on 0808 800 0029. It's open from 9am to 4pm,
Monday to Friday.

Can routine vaccinations help protect against sepsis?

Vaccinations against infections such as flu and the pneumococcal vaccine
(where these are offered), will lower your risk of becoming seriously ill
with an infection, which will in turn reduce your chances of developing
sepsis.

Test your knowledge of sepsis symptoms at The UK Sepsis Trust.
Jo Waters

Jo Waters is an award-winning health and medical journalist who writes for
national newspapers, consumer magazines and medical websites.
She is the author of four health books, including What's Up with Your Gut?
and is a former chair of the Guild of Health Writers.

Colin Howard, Southern England.