Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that causes organs to stop working properly. A person can deteriorate quickly. Confusion, severe breathlessness, ashen skin, little urine or difficulty waking requires immediate emergency care.
- Feeling very ill, rapid deterioration, fever, shivering or an unusually low temperature.
- Fast or difficult breathing, breathlessness, blue lips or a low oxygen reading.
- Do not treat possible sepsis at home or wait to see whether paracetamol lowers the fever.
- If possible, note medicines, allergies, illnesses and when the rapid deterioration began.
- Call immediately for medical assessment of an infection with rapid deterioration, drowsiness, breathlessness or little urine.
- For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.
Article status
- Version
- 1.0
- Purpose
- General medical information
- Last updated
- Sources consulted
- 8
Have you found an error or unclear information? Give feedback on this article.
General information, not personal medical advice
This article has been carefully prepared but may contain errors or become outdated as medical knowledge changes. It does not replace diagnosis, examination or treatment by your own GP. Always discuss personal questions and starting, stopping or changing medicines or treatments with your own GP.
For a life-threatening situation, call Ambulance 912. For urgent care outside office hours, call HAP 9252.
Read the full disclaimerYour response
Two anonymous questions
Did you find what you were looking for?
Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?
Share article
Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.
