NHS says look out for 18-hour symptom linked to 4,000 deaths a year

Brits are urged to look out for an 18-hour symptoms that could indicate a life-threatening medical emergency. The NHS shared some of the signs of sepsis to be aware of. Sepsis is a potentially deadly response to an infection in the body, which can cause significant damage to tissues and organs. It is estimated to cause around 4,000 deaths a year in England. In an update from NHS England, the health body is looking to prevent as many sepsis deaths as possible by 2035 by implementing new measures such as providing wearable devices to people at risk. These could be installed on their mobile phones or worn as watches or bracelets. The devices tested by the NHS will monitor people’s vital signs at home including their blood pressure and heart rate and will automatically flag that a person’s condition has deteriorated and they need to be tested for sepsis. According to the NHS, people who are on immunosuppressive treatments such as some cancer patients, older people or those with a catheter or a serious mental illness are at higher risk of sepsis. Symptoms to spot NHS figures show there were more than 118,000 emergency admissions for sepsis in 2024/25. However, people have a far better chance of survival if sepsis is detected quickly – for every hour of delayed treatment, the risk of death increases by up to eight per cent. For this reason, it’s important to be aware of some of the telltale signs of sepsis. As part of the update, the NHS explained that a symptom lasting 18 hours or more could be due to sepsis. This is “not peeing all day or peeing very little in the past 18 hours”. In children or babies, not urinating for 12 hours or more is a potential sign of sepsis. Other symptoms in adults are: - Confusion or slurred speech - Uncontrollable shivering - Muscle pain - Difficulty breathing - Blue, pale, grey or blotchy skin, lips, or tongue – on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet - A high or low temperature – a high temperature is less common in older adults Symptoms of sepsis in babies and children include: - Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast - Having a fit (seizure) - A high or low temperature – feeling very hot or cold when you touch them - Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet - A rash that does not fade when you press it – this type of rash is rare in sepsis, but it may be a symptom of meningitis - Being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake - Babies and children under five years may also not be interested in feeding or they may keep being sick (vomiting) You should call 999 if you think you or someone you know as sepsis as it requires immediate medical attention. Catching sepsis ‘early’ using technology Some hospitals have already started giving wearable tech to inpatients at risk of sepsis to detect the deadly infection. Once the device detects concerning symptoms, NHS clinicians are alerted to undertake a rapid review, which will enable them to quickly administer life-saving antibiotics to treat any infection. Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, NHS England’s deputy medical director, said: “Every year, sepsis causes of tens of thousands of deaths, and leaves thousands more with long-term disabilities, so it’s vital the NHS has an ambitious plan to reduce this harm over the next decade. “Key to tackling sepsis is catching it early – the longer sepsis goes undetected the less chance a person has to survive or make a full recovery. That’s why the NHS will be trialling new wearable devices that will allow people’s vital signs to be monitored at home – so that if they deteriorate, they can get tested and treated faster. “It is vital that everyone is aware of the signs of sepsis which can include difficulty breathing, a dramatic change in temperature, or not peeing for a time – so please do not hesitate calling 999 immediately if you or someone you know has these symptoms, and you can also find out more at nhs.uk/sepsis.”