If you get an infection, you usually get better with time, rest and treatment. But sometimes, your body has a dangerous response to an infection, called sepsis.
Sepsis can start with symptoms like fever, chills, confusion, fast breathing, extreme tiredness or feeling much worse than you would expect. It can happen with many types of infections.
Sepsis can get worse quickly, so it is important to know the warning signs and act fast. If you think you or someone else may have sepsis, get emergency care.
"Trust major changes in how you feel when you’re fighting an infection," said Michael Ditillo, DO, a surgeon with Banner - University Medicine. "If an infection is getting worse or something feels seriously wrong, do not wait to see if it passes."
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is an extreme, life-threatening response to an infection. With sepsis, inflammation and changes in your body quickly damage your organs and interfere with the way your body functions. It is not the same as a routine infection and you need immediate medical attention.
Sepsis can happen even when you don’t know if you have an infection. Without fast treatment, it can lead to septic shock (a severe drop in blood pressure), permanent organ damage or death.
What infections can lead to sepsis?
You can develop sepsis from almost any infection, including bacterial, viral or fungal infections anywhere in your body. You might not know where the infection started.
Common infections that may lead to sepsis include:
- Pneumonia or lung infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Kidney infections
- Skin infections
- Infected wounds, burns or cuts
- Abdominal or digestive infections like appendicitis, gallbladder infection or bowel infection
- Bloodstream infections
- Infections after surgery
- Infections from medical devices like catheters or IV lines
Early signs of sepsis to watch for
Watch for changes that feel worse than a typical infection or a sense that something isn’t right. You may notice:
- Fever, chills, shivering or feeling very cold
- Low temperature
- Confusion, disorientation or behavior changes
- Fast breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- High heart rate or weak pulse
- Extreme fatigue, weakness or sleepiness
- Clammy, sweaty or pale skin
- Pain or discomfort
- Less urination than usual
- Fainting or feeling like you might pass out
- Feeling much worse than expected
How to tell if an infection may be turning into sepsis
An infection may be turning into sepsis if:
- Symptoms are getting worse instead of better
- You have symptoms that affect one part of the body (like a cough), then you start to have symptoms throughout your body
- Your skin becomes cold, clammy, mottled or pale
- Redness, swelling or drainage from a wound spreads
- You have vomiting or diarrhea
- You have signs of infection after surgery
- You seem seriously ill
When to seek emergency care for possible sepsis
Call 911 or go to the emergency room for an infection or suspected infection along with any of the symptoms listed above. Don’t wait to see if you start to feel better. Early care improves the odds of recovering and can help prevent organ failure.
When you talk to health care providers, be direct about your concerns. Tell them that you are worried this could be sepsis.
How quickly can sepsis worsen?
“Sepsis can get worse in just a few hours. Sepsis is a medical emergency, like a heart attack or stroke,” Dr. Ditillo said.
It’s possible to have sepsis without having all the typical warning signs, especially for older adults, infants and people with weakened immune systems. Don’t wait to get help. Health care providers can evaluate your symptoms, vital signs and blood tests to find the source of the infection.
Who is at higher risk for sepsis?
Sepsis can happen to anyone but the risk is higher for:
- Adults age 65 and older
- Infants younger than 1 year
- People with weakened immune systems
- People with chronic conditions, like diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer or lung disease
- People who recently had surgery or were hospitalized
- People with catheters, IV lines, implanted devices or wounds
- People who have had sepsis before
- People with severe injuries or burns
- Pregnant women and women who gave birth recently
Sepsis symptoms in older adults, babies and children
Sepsis can look different depending on a person's age.
Sepsis signs in older adults
Older adults may not always have a high fever. Early signs in older people include:
- Confusion
- Sleepiness
- Weakness
- Falls
- Memory problems that are getting worse
Watch for signs of sepsis in older adults who have a urinary tract infection, pneumonia or skin infection.
Sepsis signs in babies and young children
Since babies and young children can’t explain their symptoms, watch for:
- Trouble breathing
- Extreme sleepiness
- Poor feeding
- Fewer wet diapers
- Cool or mottled skin
- Limpness
- Fever or low temperature
Get medical care right away for fever in a baby younger than 3 months old and trust your instincts if your child seems very sick or unlike themselves.
How sepsis is diagnosed and treated
Here’s what to expect when you get care for sepsis:
- Health care providers will check your temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels
- Blood tests may check for signs of infection
- Blood, urine, wound or respiratory cultures may help find the source of the infection
- Imaging may be used to check for pneumonia, abdominal infection or another infection source
Treatment may include:
- IV fluids
- Antibiotics
- Oxygen
- Medications to support blood pressure
- Care for the infection
You may need to be hospitalized or treated in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Can sepsis be prevented?
You can't always prevent sepsis but good infection prevention habits can lower your risk:
- Stay up to date on vaccines
- Wash your hands regularly
- Clean and cover wounds until they have healed
- Get care for infections that do not improve or that get worse
- Take antibiotics as prescribed
- Manage chronic conditions like diabetes
- Follow instructions after surgery or medical procedures
- Keep medical devices, catheters or wound dressings clean as directed
The bottom line
Sepsis can start with symptoms that seem mild but it can get worse quickly. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for sepsis symptoms like fever, confusion, fast breathing, extreme fatigue, clammy skin, severe pain or an infection that is getting worse. Sepsis is a medical emergency.
At Banner Health, our emergency health care providers are trained to evaluate serious infections and sepsis symptoms quickly, so you can get the care you need when every minute matters.
FAQs about sepsis
What are the first signs of sepsis?
Fever, chills, confusion, fast breathing, shortness of breath, high heart rate, clammy skin, extreme weakness, severe pain or feeling much worse than expected.
Can sepsis happen without a fever?
Yes. It’s possible to have low temperature, confusion, weakness or other less obvious symptoms, especially in older adults, infants and people with weakened immune systems.
How fast can sepsis develop?
Sepsis can worsen over hours. If an infection is getting worse or the person seems seriously ill, seek emergency care.
What infections most often lead to sepsis?
Sepsis can happen after many infections, including pneumonia and infections of the urinary tract, kidney, skin, wounds and abdomen, as well as after surgery.
Is sepsis contagious?
No, but the infection that led to sepsis may be contagious, depending on the cause.
Should I go to urgent care or the ER for sepsis symptoms?
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you think you could have sepsis.
Can you recover from sepsis?
Yes, many people recover from sepsis, especially when it is treated quickly. Some people need follow-up care after hospitalization because recovery can take time.
