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This means antibiotics are usually given anyway. However, it would be too dangerous to delay treatment to find out the specific cause. If the sepsis is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't work. Once a specific bacterium has been identified, a more focused antibiotic can be used. They usually cure most common infections. This is because there won't be time to wait until a specific type of infection has been identified.īroad-spectrum antibiotics work against a wide range of known infectious bacteria. If sepsis is suspected, broad-spectrum antibiotics are given first. You may have to take them for 7 to 10 days or longer, depending on the severity of your condition. Intravenous antibiotics are usually replaced by tablets after 2 to 4 days. Ideally, antibiotic treatment should start within an hour of diagnosis. These will be given directly into a vein (intravenously). The main treatment for sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock is antibiotics.

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In most cases it leads to full recovery with no lasting problems. Sepsis is treatable if it's identified and treated quickly. This allows the medical staff to focus on treating the infection. ICUs can support body functions like breathing that are affected by sepsis.

you develop septic shock – when your blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level.

You'll need emergency treatment, or treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU), if: You'll then be given a diagnosis and treatment. If you have the early signs of sepsis, you'll usually be referred to hospital. Treatment for sepsis varies, depending on the:

not had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours.

stiffness in the neck, especially when trying to look up or down.

weak, whining or continuous crying in a younger child.

a child that can’t be encouraged to show interest in anything.

a soft spot on a baby's head that bulges.

not drinking for more than 8 hours (when awake).

no interest in feeding (child under 1 month).

struggling to speak more than a few words at once (for older children who normally talk).

difficulty breathing – this looks like hard work.

a high temperature in a child who can’t be encouraged to show interest in anything.

below 36C – check 3 times in a 10-minute period.

Sepsis symptoms in children under 5 Temperature Symptoms of post-sepsis syndrome include: Some people with sepsis will experience long-term physical and psychological problems.

whether treatment was needed in an intensive care unit (ICU).

The amount of time it takes to fully recover from sepsis varies depending on:

Some people make a full recovery from sepsis fairly quickly. are on mechanical ventilation – where a machine is used to help you breathe.are receiving medical treatment that weakens the immune system – like chemotherapy or long-term steroids.have a medical condition that weakens the immune system – like HIV or leukaemia.have wounds or injuries as a result of an accident.have to stay in hospital for a long time.are already in hospital with a serious illness.have a long term health condition like diabetes.

However, some people are more vulnerable, including people who:

imaging studies – like an X-ray, ultrasound scan or computerised tomography (CT) scanĪnyone can develop sepsis after an injury or minor infection.

respiratory secretion testing – taking a sample of saliva, phlegm or mucus.

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a wound culture – where a small sample of tissue, skin or fluid is taken from the affected area for testing.Other tests can help determine the type of infection, where it's located and which parts of the body have been affected. Sepsis is often diagnosed by testing your: However, sometimes the specific infection and source of sepsis can't be identified. The most common sites of infection that lead to sepsis are the: Sepsis can be triggered by an infection in any part of the body. This stops oxygen from reaching the organs and tissues. When blood flow is interrupted, blood pressure can drop dangerously low. Widespread inflammation can damage tissue and interfere with blood flow. However, an infection can spread to other parts of the body if the immune system is weak or an infection is severe. This helps to fight the infection and prevent it from spreading. This triggers tissue swelling, known as inflammation. White blood cells travel to an infection site to destroy the germs causing the infection. To do this, the body produces white blood cells. The immune system usually keeps an infection limited to one place. Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Sepsis is a rare but serious complication of an infection.