Sepsis is a life-threatening illness caused by your body’s response to an infection. It can affect anyone at anytime but it tends to affect the very old and very young. Children particularly newborns  and young infants tend to be more susceptible to developing sepsis. Children with underlying medical problems are also at risk.

Signs and symptoms of sepsis.

Detecting sepsis  early and starting immediately with treatment  is often the  difference between life and death. You need to seek immediate care if children have an infection and is not improving or getting worse. Signs of sepsis include a combination of the following:

• Fever or low temperature  ( newborns and infants may have low temperature).
• Fast heart rate
• Fast breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Felling cold or cold hands and feet
• Clammy and pale skin
• Extreme pain or discomfort
• Confusion , dizziness and disorientation
• Extreme  pain and discomfort
• Nausea and vomiting

NOTE

Most of these signs alone are common in babies when they are sick. However this does not mean they have sepsis. When more than one of these symptoms occur together or the child seem sicker than usual,  you should seek medical help. You need to take your baby to the emergency room without delay if your child is

• Unresponsive
• Cold , pale or has developed strange colors or markings
• Struggling to breath
• Has dry diapers for more than 24 hours

How is sepsis treated ?

Sepsis is treated in the hospital. Babies will usually need care in the  intensive care unit ICU. Doctors  and nurses will give antibiotics through IV  fluids, special heart and blood pressure medication, medication to keep the child calm and  comfortable . In some cases , children may need a ventilator to help with breathing.