Health
'Straight to hospital' - NHS symptoms list as five die every hour
Key Points
Need to know 'Straight to hospital' - NHS symptoms list as five die every hour Five people die with sepsis every hour in the UK alone What you need to know as NHS lists symptoms that mean you should go to hospital immediately - The NHS has issued an alert, instructing people who suspect they may have sepsis to go to hospital immediately. The fast-moving and dangerous condition triggers when the body's immune system aggressively attacks its own healthy tissues during an infection. - Because...
Need to know
'Straight to hospital' - NHS symptoms list as five die every hour
Five people die with sepsis every hour in the UK alone
What you need to know as NHS lists symptoms that mean you should go to hospital immediately
- The NHS has issued an alert, instructing people who suspect they may have sepsis to go to hospital immediately. The fast-moving and dangerous condition triggers when the body's immune system aggressively attacks its own healthy tissues during an infection.
- Because sepsis can quickly become fatal, recognising early warning signs is crucial. In adults, sudden confusion, slurred speech, or an inability to articulate thoughts logically can indicate the onset of the condition.
- These mental impairments are frequently accompanied by intense physical distress like severe muscle aches and uncontrollable shivering. Visible indicators in mature individuals include skin, lips, or tongues that turn an unusual blue, grey, pale, or mottled colour.
- Fluctuations in body temperature are also common, though older people are less likely to experience a high fever. Respiratory and urinary red flags in adults involve a significant struggle to breathe normally or a total lack of urination over an eighteen-hour window. Failing to pass urine for an entire day serves as a critical biological signal that the internal organs are under severe stress.
- In children, parents should look out for extreme lethargy, such as a child being unusually difficult to wake up. Additional neurological dangers in youth can present as sudden seizures or fits that require instant medical attention.
- Affected children may exhibit incredibly rapid breathing or visible struggles for air alongside discoloured, blotchy, or pale skin, tongue or lips. A particularly distinct warning sign is a body rash that fails to fade or disappear when pressed firmly against the skin.
- A high or low temperature can also be a symptom, and infants and toddlers under five who have not urinated for twelve hours, or older children dry for a full day, need immediate evaluation.
- Immediate emergency action is vital if you notice any combination of these dangerous symptoms in yourself or a loved one. The NHS stresses that people should never hesitate to call 999 or head straight to the nearest emergency room, advising everyone to always trust their gut instincts.
- READ THE FULL STORY: NHS symptoms list as people told go to hospital 'straight away'