Most childhood bugs stay ordinary. A fever, a snotty nose, a clingy evening on the sofa. Then they get better.
Sepsis is the one that keeps parents up at night, and for good reason. It is what happens when the body goes into overdrive fighting an infection, and that reaction starts to harm the child. It can move quickly, but you cannot catch it from another person. The NHS says if you think it might be sepsis, get help straight away.
Did you know? The UK Sepsis Trust says around 25,000 children in the UK are admitted to hospital with sepsis every year. Most survive, especially when it is caught early.
You know your child. If they seem much more unwell than you would expect, or they are getting worse, that is enough to ask: "Could this be sepsis?"
It often starts as something ordinary
A chesty cough, a tummy bug, a water infection, even a cut that looks a bit angry. In most cases, these get better.
Babies under one, and children who already have health problems, are more at risk. Fit, healthy children can still get it.
Is there a test for sepsis?
Most children with a fever will not develop sepsis but there is no home test, and no single test that gives a yes or no.
Because the signs can be easy to miss, the UK Sepsis Trust asks parents to say: "Could this be sepsis?"
When to call 999
Sepsis is more than just a high temperature. If a baby or child has any of these, call 999 or go to A&E. One is enough - they will not have all of them. Trust the feeling that this is not their usual poorly.
- A fit or convulsion.
- They feel abnormally cold to touch, especially if they are also shivery, mottled, or pale.
- They are much sleepier than usual, hard to wake, or not responding normally.
- Breathing that is fast, noisy, or harder work than usual. Look for grunting, or the tummy sucking in under the ribs.
- Their skin, lips or tongue look blue, grey, pale or blotchy. On black or brown skin, check the palms, soles of the feet, and the inside of the forearms.
- A rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it. Do not wait for a rash. It is rare in sepsis, and many seriously ill children never get one.
- A weak, high-pitched, or non-stop cry, when it is not their usual cry.
- Repeated vomiting, so they cannot keep milk or food down.
- No wet nappy or no wee for 12 hours.
- They just are not themselves, and you are worried. Trust your instincts. A parent's concern is one of the most important signs.
If it does not feel like an emergency but you are unsure, call 111. If they look seriously ill, skip the queue and call 999.
Has your child already been seen?
Being sent home with "it's a virus" does not mean you were wrong to worry. Things can still change.
If they get worse, or they seem sicker than you would expect even if the fever comes down, go back. Tell them what is different. Ask for a second opinion.
It is always worth ending an appointment with: "When should I be worried?" or "When should I come back?"
What is the treatment for sepsis?
Sepsis is treated in hospital with antibiotics into a vein. For the most unwell children, those should be started within an hour.
They may also need oxygen, fluids and expert close monitoring.
How TinyHearts helps
The hard part is not reading a list. It is recognising it in your own child at two in the morning, and knowing what to do if they collapse.
That is what TinyHearts is for. It is a two hour, nurse-led session for parents, grandparents and carers. We practise baby and child CPR, choking, everyday injuries, and what to do when a child is seriously unwell.
You can also test your knowledge right now, take our free first aid for parents quiz.
If your child is unwell right now, do not book a course. Get medical help.