Sepsis often starts with something ordinary: a urinary tract infection, pneumonia, an infected cut, or even the flu. Instead of fighting off that infection, the body overreacts and begins damaging its own tissues and organs. According to the CDC, at least 1.7 million adults in the U.S. develop sepsis each year, and at least 350,000 of them die during their hospital stay or are discharged to hospice. Knowing the signs of sepsis can help you act in the window where treatment works best.
Sepsis is a medical emergency, and every hour counts. If you or someone you love has an infection and suddenly seems much sicker, confused, or short of breath, do not wait it out. Call 911 or go straight to the nearest ER. Our Lake Jackson ER is open 24/7 with on-site labs and imaging to start sepsis testing and treatment right away.
What Is Sepsis?
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. Normally, your immune system targets germs where they are. With sepsis, the response spreads throughout the body, triggering widespread inflammation, leaky blood vessels, and tiny clots that reduce blood flow to vital organs. Without quick treatment, sepsis can progress to septic shock, where blood pressure drops dangerously low and organs such as the kidneys, lungs, and brain begin to fail.
Most cases start from infections in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, or digestive system. Bacteria cause most sepsis, but viral infections such as flu and COVID-19 and fungal infections can trigger it too.
Early Signs of Sepsis
Sepsis can look like a bad case of the flu at first, which is why it is often missed. Sepsis Alliance uses the simple TIME acronym to help people remember the warning signs:
- T – Temperature: a fever, or a body temperature that is lower than normal.
- I – Infection: a known or suspected infection, such as pneumonia, a UTI, or a wound that looks red and swollen.
- M – Mental decline: confusion, disorientation, extreme sleepiness, or being hard to wake.
- E – Extremely ill: severe pain or discomfort, often described as “I feel like I might die.”
Other common sepsis symptoms include:
- A fast heart rate.
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath.
- Chills, shivering, or clammy, sweaty skin.
- Very little or no urine.
- Pale, blotchy, or bluish skin.
A fever with any of these symptoms is a red flag. While mild fevers can often be managed at home, a high fever with confusion or fast breathing needs urgent attention. Our Lake Jackson team provides 24/7 treatment for high fever, including lab work to check for infection in the blood.
Signs of Sepsis in Children and Older Adults
Sepsis can look different in the very young and the very old, so caregivers should know these extra clues.
In Babies and Children
- Fever in a baby under 3 months old, which always needs medical evaluation.
- Unusual fussiness, a weak or high-pitched cry, or being floppy and hard to wake.
- Not feeding well or having far fewer wet diapers than usual.
- A rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it.
- Fast breathing, grunting, or pauses in breathing.
In Older Adults
Older adults may not run a fever at all. Instead, sudden confusion, falls, weakness, or simply “not acting like themselves” may be the first sign. Because older adults often have other conditions, family members should trust their instincts and seek care quickly when something seems off.
Who Is Most at Risk for Sepsis?
Anyone with an infection can develop sepsis, but some people face a higher risk:
- Adults 65 and older and babies under 1 year old.
- People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease, or cancer.
- People with weakened immune systems, including those on chemotherapy or steroids.
- Anyone who has recently been hospitalized or had surgery.
- People with catheters, IV lines, or open wounds.
- Sepsis survivors, who are at higher risk of getting it again.
Diabetes deserves special attention because high blood sugar weakens the immune response and slows wound healing, making infections harder to fight. If you have diabetes and notice signs of infection along with very high or very low blood sugar, our emergency room for diabetes management in Lumberton can stabilize your blood sugar and check for infection at the same time.
Sepsis vs. Septic Shock
Doctors often describe sepsis as a progression. Recognizing where someone falls helps explain why speed matters so much.
1. Sepsis
There is a suspected infection along with signs that it is affecting the body as a whole, such as fever, fast heart rate, and rapid breathing. Organs may be starting to struggle.
2. Severe Sepsis
Signs of organ damage appear, such as confusion, difficulty breathing, low urine output, or abnormal lab results. Many doctors now group this together with sepsis, but the message is the same: the body is under serious strain.
3. Septic Shock
Blood pressure falls dangerously low and does not respond well to IV fluids. Patients need medicines to support blood pressure and often intensive care. Septic shock carries the highest risk of death, which is why early ER care is so important.
Read more: Shortness of Breath: What It Means
When Should You Go to the ER for Sepsis?
Go to the emergency room or call 911 right away if someone has an infection, or signs of one, along with any of the following:
- Confusion, slurred speech, or trouble staying awake.
- Shortness of breath or breathing much faster than normal.
- A racing heartbeat or a very weak pulse.
- Cold, clammy, mottled, or bluish skin.
- Little or no urine for several hours.
- Severe pain or a feeling that something is very wrong.
Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or confused. If you are unsure, it is always safer to be checked. Doctors would much rather rule out sepsis than see a patient after it has progressed.
Not every fever needs the ER, but a fever that comes with any of the signs above does. Unlike many walk-in clinics, an ER can run blood cultures, check lactate levels, and start IV antibiotics on the spot. If you are looking for urgent care for fever that may be more serious than it seems, Altus Lumberton Hospital is ready to help day or night.
How Is Sepsis Diagnosed and Treated in the ER?
There is no single test for sepsis, so ER doctors combine your symptoms, vital signs, and test results to make the diagnosis quickly. Common steps include:
- Blood tests: to look for infection, check white blood cell counts, measure lactate, and assess kidney and liver function.
- Blood cultures: to identify the germ causing the infection.
- Urine tests: to check for a urinary tract infection.
- Imaging: such as chest X-rays or CT scans to find the source of infection.
Treatment starts right away, often before every result comes back. It usually includes broad-spectrum IV antibiotics, IV fluids to support blood pressure, oxygen, and treatment of the infection source, such as draining an abscess. Patients with septic shock may need medicines called vasopressors and admission to an intensive care unit.
How to Lower Your Risk of Sepsis
- Stay up to date on vaccines: including flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal, and RSV for eligible adults.
- Clean and care for wounds: wash cuts with soap and water and watch for redness, warmth, or pus.
- Manage chronic conditions: keep diabetes, lung disease, and kidney disease under control.
- Treat infections early: do not ignore a UTI, worsening cough, or skin infection.
- Practice good hand hygiene: especially during cold and flu season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can sepsis become deadly?
Sepsis can worsen within hours. Septic shock can develop quickly, especially in older adults, young children, and people with weakened immune systems. That is why emergency care should never be delayed.
Is sepsis contagious?
Sepsis itself is not contagious. However, the infections that cause sepsis, such as flu, COVID-19, or strep, can spread from person to person.
Can you have sepsis without a fever?
Yes. Some people, especially older adults and those with weakened immune systems, have a normal or low body temperature with sepsis. Confusion, fast breathing, and a racing heart can be more telling signs.
Can you recover fully from sepsis?
Many people recover, especially when treatment starts early. Some survivors experience lasting fatigue, muscle weakness, trouble sleeping, or memory problems, sometimes called post-sepsis syndrome. Follow-up care with your doctor can help.
Fast Sepsis Care at Altus Emergency Centers
When it comes to sepsis, the sooner treatment starts, the better the chances of recovery. Altus Emergency Centers in Lake Jackson, Lumberton, and Waxahachie are open 24/7 with board-certified physicians, on-site labs, and advanced imaging to identify infections and start treatment without delay. If an infection suddenly takes a turn for the worse, do not wait. Call 911 or visit your nearest Altus ER today.