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Sepsis symptoms and when to get help
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that can happen when your body has an extreme response to an infection. It can affect anyone and can get worse quickly.
Knowing the signs can help you act fast if you or someone you love needs medical care. Learn what sepsis is, which symptoms need immediate attention, how to lower your risk and when to get help.
If you think you or someone else might have sepsis, act immediately. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for severe or life-threatening symptoms.
Sepsis can happen to anyone
Anyone can develop sepsis. The sections below explain what sepsis is, how to recognize it and when to seek emergency care.
Sepsis affects more than 1.7 million Americans each year.
Sepsis is serious, and getting care quickly matters. Studies estimate that the risk of death from sepsis increases by 4%–9% for every hour treatment is delayed.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis happens when the body's response to an infection causes damage to its own tissues and organs. It’s a life-threatening medical emergency that needs to be recognized and treated quickly.
Infection
An infection happens when germs enter the body and multiply. Your immune system usually works to fight the infection. Some infections get better on their own, while others need treatment.
Sepsis
Sepsis is different. It happens when the body's response to an infection becomes extreme and starts to damage the body's own tissues and organs.
What kinds of infections can lead to sepsis?
Sepsis can start from many kinds of infections, including bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections. Common infection sites include:
- Lungs: Infections like pneumonia
- Urinary tract: Infections of the bladder or kidneys, especially if you have a catheter
- Digestive system: Infections involving the appendix, belly, gallbladder or liver
- Brain or spine: Infections involving the brain or spinal cord
- Skin: Infections involving the skin, such as cellulitis
What are the signs and symptoms of sepsis?
Sepsis can get worse quickly. If you have an infection, think you might have one or feel much worse than expected, seek medical care right away.
What to watch for
Sepsis symptoms can be different from person to person. They might start gradually or appear quickly.
Look for a combination of warning signs, especially if you have an infection or recently had surgery or another medical procedure.
Understanding sepsis through the TIME system
The TIME acronym, promoted by the Sepsis Alliance, can help you remember common sepsis warning signs and act fast. Learn more about the Sepsis Alliance. TIME stands for:
- T – Temperature changes: Your body temperature might be higher or lower than normal.
- I – Infection signs: You might have signs of an infection, such as a cough, pain when you urinate or redness and drainage from a wound.
- M – Mental decline: You might become confused, very sleepy or difficult to wake.
- E – Extremely ill: You might have severe pain or discomfort, shortness of breath or a feeling that something is seriously wrong.
Other symptoms of sepsis might include:
- Fast heart rate
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Fever, chills or feeling very cold
- Clammy or sweaty skin
- Severe pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
You might not have every symptom. If you have an infection (or think you might have one) and symptoms concern you, seek medical care right away.
When should you get emergency care for sepsis?
epsis can get worse quickly. If you think you or someone you care for might have sepsis, do not wait to see if the symptoms improve.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for severe or life-threatening symptoms.
If you have an infection or think you might have one and your symptoms are getting worse, getting medical attention quickly is important. Early treatment can help lower the risk of serious complications.
Who is at higher risk for sepsis?
Risk factors
Anyone can develop sepsis, but some people are more likely to develop an infection or have more difficulty fighting one.
Having a risk factor does not mean you will develop sepsis. However, it does mean you might need to watch infection and sepsis warning signs especially closely.
People at higher risk include:
- Infants and young children
- Older adults
- People with chronic or serious health conditions, such as diabetes or cancer
- People with weakened immune systems
- People who are malnourished
Can sepsis be prevented?
Preventing infections can help lower your risk of sepsis
Sepsis often starts from an infection that begins outside a hospital or healthcare facility.
Work to prevent infections, and watch symptoms closely.
You can help your community by sharing sepsis warning signs and encouraging people to get care quickly.
Practice good hand hygiene
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available and your hands are not visibly dirty.
Cover coughs and sneezes when illness is spreading.
Stay up to date on recommended vaccines
Vaccines can help prevent some infections that might lead to serious illness and sepsis.
Talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccines are recommended for you and your family.
Do your part to prevent infections
Manage long-term health conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease and kidney disease.
Keeping chronic conditions under control can help your body fight infection.
Take care of cuts and wounds
Clean cuts, scrapes and other wounds and keep them protected as they heal.
Watch for signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, pain or drainage.
Pay attention to infections
If you have an infection that is getting worse, is not improving or causes new symptoms, contact a healthcare provider.
Take antibiotics only as prescribed
Antibiotics treat some bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as colds or the flu.
If your healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic, take it exactly as directed.
Know the warning signs
Be alert for confusion, shortness of breath, clammy skin, extreme pain, fever or feeling very cold, and a fast heart rate.
Act fast
Sepsis is a medical emergency. Seek immediate care and ask, “Could this infection be leading to sepsis?”
How is sepsis treated?
Not every infection or case of sepsis can be prevented. If sepsis develops, fast hospital treatment is essential.
Understanding what happens during treatment can help patients and families know what to expect.
Treatment begins as soon as possible and depends on what is causing the infection and how severely the body is being affected.
Treatment might include:
- Antibiotics or other medicines to treat the infection: Antibiotics are used when a bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed. Other medicines may be used when another type of infection is causing sepsis.
- IV fluids: Fluids given through an IV can help maintain blood flow and blood pressure.
- Oxygen or breathing support: Some people might need extra oxygen or a machine to help them breathe.
- Medicines to support blood pressure: People with dangerously low blood pressure might need medicine to help keep blood flowing to the body’s organs.
- Treatment to control the source of the infection: In some cases, a procedure or surgery may be needed to drain an infection, remove infected tissue or address another source of infection.
Your care team will watch you closely and adjust treatment based on how your body responds. Some people with severe sepsis might need care in an intensive care unit and extra support for organs such as the lungs, kidneys, liver or brain.
The sooner sepsis is recognized, the sooner treatment can begin. If you think you or someone you care for might have sepsis, seek medical care as soon as possible.
How Ballad Health is working to reduce the impact of sepsis
Ballad Health works across the Appalachian Highlands to help patients and communities recognize sepsis sooner and get timely treatment. These efforts include clinical processes, monitoring tools and community education.
Ballad Health has used virtual sepsis monitoring to help care teams identify possible sepsis in patients arriving at emergency departments. Nurses review patient information in real time and communicate with the bedside care team when possible signs of sepsis are found.
Ballad Health also shares infection prevention guidance, including hand hygiene and recommended vaccines, to help reduce infections and encourage earlier care when sepsis is suspected.
Frequently asked questions about sepsis
Yes. Sepsis can result from bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections. An infection can start in many different parts of the body.
Yes. Sepsis can cause a temperature that is higher or lower than normal. A fever is not required for someone to have sepsis.
Yes. Anyone can develop sepsis. Some people have a higher risk because of their age, health conditions or immune system, but sepsis can affect people who do not have known risk factors.
Sepsis can get worse quickly and can cause serious problems with the lungs, kidneys, liver or brain. If you are concerned about sepsis, seek medical care right away.
Seek medical care immediately. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for severe or life-threatening symptoms. Tell the healthcare team that you are concerned about sepsis.
Not every case of sepsis can be prevented. However, preventing infections can help lower your risk. Recommended vaccines, good hand hygiene, proper wound care and timely treatment of infections can all help.
If you are concerned about symptoms or an infection that is getting worse, contact a healthcare provider promptly. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for severe or life-threatening symptoms.
Get care now
Need emergency care?
Ballad Health emergency rooms are available throughout the region. Find the emergency room closest to you and view current estimated wait times.
Start with primary care
A primary care provider can help you stay well with regular checkups, recommended vaccines, preventive screenings and support for chronic conditions. They can also check changes in your health and connect you with more care when needed.