Version July 2025
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What is sepsis? —
This is an infection in the blood. It is a serious illness that affects the whole body.
Sepsis can come from an infection in any part of the body. For example: it can happen:
●After a respiratory infection like the flu, COVID-19, or a lung infection (called "pneumonia")
●After an open wound or burn gets infected
●After a urinary tract infection
●If a person has a tube like a catheter or IV in their body
Sepsis needs to be treated quickly. If it is not treated, it can become severe. When this happens, it is called "septic shock." This is life-threatening.
This article has information about sepsis in babies and children older than 1 month.
What are the symptoms of sepsis? —
Symptoms can include:
●Fever – But some children have a low body temperature instead. This is more common in babies.
●Very fast or very slow heartbeat
●Very fast breathing
●Urinating much less than usual
●Cool, clammy skin
●Feeling irritated, anxious, or confused
●Feeling very tired, or sleeping more than usual
●Different types of skin rashes – One type is a lacy, purple rash that is usually on the legs, but can also be on the arms. Another rash looks like red or purple spots on the skin that do not go away when touched. These spots are usually on the chest, wrist, arms, and legs, but can also be in other areas.
Children who have septic shock have many of the symptoms listed above. They can also have very low blood pressure. Sometimes, this can cause a child to act confused. In severe cases, it can cause a deep state of unconsciousness, called a "coma."
Will my child need tests? —
Yes. If your child's doctor suspects sepsis, they will do:
●Blood tests – These include a test called "blood cultures." This can check for an infection in the blood.
●Urine tests – This is a way to check for an infection in the bladder or kidneys. If your child cannot urinate in a cup, the doctor or nurse will insert a small tube through your child's urethra and into their bladder. The urethra is the opening where urine comes out of the body.
Some children need other tests. These can check if they have an infection or another problem in other parts of their body. These tests might include:
●Lumbar puncture (sometimes called a "spinal tap") – This is a way to check for an infection in the brain. A doctor puts a thin needle into your child's lower back and removes a small sample of spinal fluid. This is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
●Chest X-ray – This is an imaging test to check for a lung infection or other problem in the lungs. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.
●Other imaging tests – These can check for infections or other problems inside of the body.
How is sepsis treated? —
It is treated in the hospital. The doctor will give your child:
●Antibiotics that go in a vein – These are given through a thin tube called an "IV." Some children need a "central line." This is a special type of IV that goes into a large vein, usually in the neck or groin.
●Fluids that go in a vein – These can be given through an IV or central line.
●Other medicines to treat their condition – For example, if your child's blood pressure is too low, the doctor can give medicine to raise it.
Sometimes, sepsis can be caused by an IV or catheter the child had for another reason. In this case, your child's doctor might take the IV or catheter out.
Some children with septic shock need other treatments, such as:
●A breathing machine (ventilator)
●Surgery – If your child has a severe infection in the skin or tissue under the skin, their doctor might do surgery to remove the infected areas.
●Clotting factors – If your child is bleeding a lot or their blood is not clotting normally, they might get "clotting factors" to help their blood clot. These are proteins given (donated) by another person.
●Blood transfusion – This is when a person gets blood that was donated by another person. But this is rare.
Can sepsis be prevented? —
You can help prevent sepsis by avoiding infections:
●Make sure your child gets the vaccines their doctor recommends. Get yourself and other caregivers the vaccines your doctor recommends, too. Vaccines can prevent serious or deadly infections.
●Keep your child away from people who are sick.
●Wash your and your child's hands often.
If your child gets an infection, see a doctor right away. Getting the right treatment can lower the risk of sepsis.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
●Your child has a seizure.
●You cannot wake up your child.
●Your child has so much trouble breathing that they:
•Can only say 1 or 2 words at a time – For babies and children who do not talk, they might have trouble crying.
•Need to sit upright to be able to breathe, or cannot lie down
•Are very tired from working to catch their breath
•Are making a grunting noise when they breathe
●Your child has a fever and also gets blue, deep red, or purple spots that do not change when you press on them.
●Your child passes out, seems very sleepy, or is breathing fast and has 1 or more of these signs of severe fluid loss:
•Their skin is mottled and cool, and their hands and feet are blue.
•They do not urinate for 24 hours.
•Their soft spot is sunken.
•Their eyes are sunken.
Bring your child to the emergency department if they:
●Cannot keep any fluids down, have not drank anything in many hours, and have 1 or more of the following:
•Acting less alert than usual, very sleepy, or much less active
•Crying all the time
•For babies, not having a wet diaper for over 8 hours
•For older children, not needing to urinate for over 12 hours
•Skin that is cool to the touch
●Have so much trouble breathing that:
•They have trouble eating or drinking.
•Their breathing is worse when they lie down or sit still.
•Their skin pulls in between their ribs, below their rib cage, or above their collarbones.
●Have a stiff neck
Call the doctor or nurse for advice if your child:
●Is 3 to 6 months old, and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
●Is 6 months to 3 years old, and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that lasts longer than a day
●Cannot do their normal activities because of trouble breathing
●Is having trouble feeding normally
●Has signs of dehydration such as:
•Dry mouth
•Few or no tears when they cry
•Dark-colored urine
•Being less active than normal
●Has new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Sepsis in newborn babies (The Basics)
Patient education: Fever in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Shock (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood culture (The Basics)
Patient education: Urine culture (The Basics)
Patient education: Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) (The Basics)
Patient education: What you should know about antibiotics (The Basics)
