What is sepsis?

Also known as blood poisoning, sepsis is the immune system’s overreaction to infection or injury. It attacks the body’s organs and tissues and, if left untreated, can result in organ failure or death.

There is no one sign of sepsis, which can initially look like flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection. The condition can present differently for adults and children.

Five people are killed by sepsis in the UK each hour and one quarter of survivors suffer permanent, life-changing effects.

According to the UK Sepsis Trust, adults should seek urgent medical help if they develop any of these symptoms, which spell SEPSIS: Slurred speech or confusion Extreme shivering or muscle pain Passing no urine (in a day) Severe breathlessness It feels like you’re going to die Skin mottled or discoloured A total of 25,000 children are affected each year. If youngsters have a fever or a very low temperature, the trust advises calling 999 and asking if it could be sepsis.

Symptoms include breathing very fast, having a convulsion, looking blue, mottled or pale, a rash that doesn’t fade when you press it and being very lethargic or abnormally cold to touch.

Parents of kids under five should look out for their child not feeding, repeatedly vomiting or not passing urine for 12 hours. Visit sepsistrust.org