New data from the HSE shows nearly 40% of people don't know what symptoms to look for in sepsis.
One in five people who develop sepsis will die from it - but 39% of adults don't know what symptoms to look out for.
That's according to new research from the HSE.
It wants to raise awareness about the condition - which happens when the body has an extreme response to an infection.
Tullamore woman Aisling O Rourke's father passed away from sepsis and says you need to act fast:
The Health Service Executive say to look out for the following symptoms when it comes to sepsis.
If a child or baby:
- Has blue, pale or blotchy skin
- Lips or tongue has a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, in the same way you check for meningitis
- Is being very sluggish, unusually sleepy and hard to wake feels unusually
- Cold to touch
- Has had no pee or wet nappies for more than 12 hours
- Is breathing very fast
- Has fits or convulsions
- Has a weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
- Has an infection,
- Is still unwell after 24 hours or is getting worse - it may be sepsis.
If an adult:
- Is acting confused, slurring their speech, not making sense or not their usual self
- Has difficulty breathing, breathlessness or is breathing very fast
- Their lips are blue or slightly blue
- Pounding in their chest
- Has hands and feet that feel cold, clammy and look pale
- Feels dizzy, faint or loses consciousness (passes out)
- Is not peeing as much as normal - for example, not peeing for a day
- Has a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, in the same way you check for meningitis
- Has severe muscle pain
- Is complaining of severe leg pain or difficulty standing
- Has an infection, is still unwell after 24 hours or is getting worse - it may be sepsis
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