Key points
- Sepsis is a serious condition that happens when the body has an extreme reaction to an existing infection.
- Most infections are mild and do not lead to sepsis.
- Severe bacterial infections are the most common cause of sepsis. However, any serious viral or fungal infection can cause the condition.
- Sepsis is a medical emergency and needs urgent treatment in hospital. It can become life-threatening if it is not treated early.
- Knowing the early warning signs of sepsis can help you protect your child’s health.
- Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your child is unconscious, struggling to breathe, looks blue or grey, has a seizure, or seems extremely unwell.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a serious condition that happens when the body has an extreme reaction to an existing infection. Instead of just fighting the infection, the immune system causes widespread inflammation that can damage organs such as the lungs, heart, brain, and kidneys.
Children often get infections; most are mild and do not lead to sepsis. However, any severe infection can cause sepsis. This includes infections of the lungs, blood, urine, abdomen (tummy), or skin.
Sepsis can develop quickly. If left untreated, it can cause tissue damage, organ failure, and death. However, most children fully recover from sepsis with the right treatment.
Signs and symptoms of sepsis
Sepsis can be hard to spot – especially when it first starts. It may get worse very quickly.
Seek urgent medical help if your child has a fever (temperature of 38°C or more) AND any combination of the following signs and symptoms:
- Ongoing fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Ongoing fast heartbeat
- Drowsiness, confusion, or being very hard to wake
- Cold, clammy skin
- Pale, blue, or grey lips and fingers
- Extreme pain or discomfort that seems unusual or out of proportion
- A rash that does not turn skin colour when you press on it (non-blanching rash)
- Lethargy that keeps getting worse with no bursts of energy.
In babies, the signs and symptoms can be more subtle and may include:
- Poor feeding or not waking for feeds
- Floppiness
- Very unsettled behaviour
- High-pitched or unusual crying
- Changes in skin colour, such as looking pale, mottled, or blue.
Babies with sepsis do not always have a fever
If you are worried that your child is becoming very unwell, trust your instincts and get help immediately. Ask a health professional, ‘Could it be sepsis?’ In many cases, this will be a false alarm, but it is always better to be safe.
Non-blanching rash test
Rashes that do not turn skin colour when you press on them are called non-blanching rashes. Non-blanching rashes are caused by tiny bleeds under the skin. They can be a sign of serious conditions such as sepsis.
If you want to check whether your child may have a blanching or non-blanching rash, you can try the glass test. Simply take a clear glass and press it against the rash. If the rash changes colour, it is more likely to be a regular blanching rash. If it does not change under pressure from the glass, it may be non-blanching.
It is important to note that this test is not a perfect diagnostic tool. If you are worried about your child’s rash, you should seek medical care, regardless of what the glass test shows.
What causes sepsis?
Bacterial infections are the most common cause of sepsis. However, any serious viral or fungal infection can lead to the condition.
The most common infections that can lead to sepsis include:
Some children are at higher risk of sepsis, including:
- Babies under one month of age
- Children with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised)
- Children receiving chemotherapy
- Children with intravenous (IV) lines or medical devices.
How to care for sepsis
See a doctor urgently
Your child will need treatment in hospital if they have sepsis. It is very important to get help if you suspect your child may have sepsis.
Treatment for sepsis usually includes:
- Antibiotics – usually given through a vein (IV)
- Fluids and medicines to support blood pressure and organ function
- Close monitoring, sometimes in a high-dependency area or intensive care unit (ICU).
Early treatment for sepsis can be lifesaving and improve long-term health outcomes.
Follow up
Most children fully recover from sepsis with the right treatment. However, some may have ongoing physical, emotional, or learning difficulties. This is known as post-sepsis syndrome.
A doctor will let you know if your child needs follow-up care with specialists or support services.
Sepsis can be a very scary experience for you and your child. Even if they do not have lasting effects, your child may have trauma
responses, such as trouble sleeping, withdrawing from others, or flashbacks. If their reactions are very strong, last a long time, or start affecting their daily life, it is best to speak with their doctor or mental health professional.
Preventing sepsis
You can reduce your child’s risk of sepsis by:
- Keeping their routine vaccinations up to date following the National Immunisation Program Schedule. Vaccines protect children from many common causes of sepsis.
- Practising good hand hygiene to prevent infections
- This means regularly washing hands with soap or alcohol hand sanitiser
- Cleaning wounds such as cuts
- Seeking medical care fast if they show signs of a serious infection
If your child has a chronic illness or weakened immune system, it is important to follow advice from their doctors to reduce their risk of sepsis and infection.
When to get help
Call an ambulance (000) if:
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- your child is struggling to breathe.
- your child’s skin looks blueish, grey, or very pale.
- you cannot wake your child.
- your child has a seizure.
- your child looks critically unwell, and/or you are extremely concerned.
- your child has a fever (temperature of 38°C or more) and has a rash that does not turn skin colour (blanch) when you press on it.
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Go to a hospital if:
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- you think your child may have sepsis.
- your child has signs of infection – such as a fever (temperature of 38°C or more), lethargy, or redness – and is getting worse quickly.
- your child has a rash that does not turn skin colour (blanch) when you press on it.
- your child is very drowsy with no bursts of energy.
- your child has ongoing fast breathing or a fast heart rate.
- your child is under 6 months of age and is floppy; not feeding properly or waking for feeds; acting very unsettled, has high-pitched or unusual crying; or their skin has changed colour (pale, mottled, or blue).
- sick babies do not always show a fever.
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See a doctor or health professional if:
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- your child has a fever (temperature of 38°C or more) and seems more unwell than expected.
- your child is not drinking enough fluids or urinating (peeing) less than usual.
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Look after your child at home if:
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- a health professional has assessed them and feels it is safe for them to be at home.
- their symptoms are getting better.
- they are drinking fluids, breathing normally, and having occasional bursts of energy.
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Common questions about sepsis
How can I tell if my child has a regular infection or early signs of sepsis?
It can be hard to tell whether your child has a regular infection or early signs of sepsis, as the symptoms can overlap. Watch for the clear warning signs of sepsis, such as ongoing fast breathing or a fast heart rate. If you are worried about your child, always trust your instincts and ask a health professional, ‘could this be sepsis?’
How do doctors diagnose sepsis?
There is no single test to diagnose sepsis. Doctors diagnose sepsis by examining them, considering their symptoms, reviewing blood test results, and sometimes looking at X-rays or other scans. It can be hard to diagnose sepsis early, so doctors will often monitor a child's condition and regularly reassess them.
Is sepsis contagious?
Sepsis is a reaction to an existing infection. The reaction is not contagious, but some infections that cause sepsis are contagious. For example, certain bacteria or viruses.
Does my child need antibiotics for sepsis?
Sepsis requires treatment with antibiotics; it is usually given through a vein (IV) in hospital. Doctors will often start antibiotics as soon as they suspect sepsis, before test results are available.
What is septicaemia?
Septicaemia is when bacteria get into the bloodstream. It is often called blood poisoning. Some people use septicaemia and sepsis interchangeably, but they are not the same. Septicaemia can lead to sepsis if it is not treated.
What is septic shock?
Septic shock is the most serious form of sepsis. It happens when sepsis causes dangerously low blood pressure and poor blood flow to vital organs. Septic shock is life-threatening and requires urgent intensive care treatment in hospital.
How long after sepsis can my child return to childcare or school?
Your child’s doctor will advise you when it is safe for your child to return to childcare and school after sepsis. It is a serious condition that can take a toll on the body. Many children need time to rest and recover – some will bounce back quickly, while others will take weeks or months. Their recovery will depend on how severe their illness was and whether they have ongoing symptoms.
For more information
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed August 2026
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.