27/04/2026
Sepsis kills and it is so important that younger children demonstrating symptoms are treated promptly and correctly.
Sepsis in children can escalate quickly and without warning. As a parent, you know when something isn’t right. Trust that instinct.
These are the signs to watch for, when it’s sepsis, every minute matters.
Symptoms:
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. There’s no single symptom, and children (or even adults) may not realize they’re fighting one. Early sepsis can mimic many other common illnesses, often starting with a fever, fast heart rate, or rapid breathing.
Watch for:
- Fever
- Fast breathing (your child may complain that his/her heart is racing)
- Vomiting
- Abnormally cold to touch
- A rash that does not fade when you press it
- Lethargic, irritated, sleepy or difficult to wake
- Looks bluish, mottled or has very pale skin
- Has a fit or convulsion
- Severe muscle pain, or pain in the joints of the wrist, elbows, back, knees, hips, and ankles
A child under five years of age who is:
- Uninterested in feeding
- Vomiting
- Has not passed urine for 12 hours
Head to endsepsis.org to learn more.
