Sepsis Signs and Symptoms

Not everyone will have the same sepsis symptoms. Some of the symptoms are common to other disorders and will be overlooked. A doctor will need to pay attention with his or her eyes and ears and put all the sepsis symptom puzzle pieces together.

Sepsis symptoms are fever or on the other side of the coin, lower than average body temperature. Another sepsis symptom is elevated blood cell count or -- and this is confusing -- lower than normal white blood cell count

People suffering from sepsis also have chills or severe shaking.

The heart may be beating very fast, and breathing could be rapid. Low blood pressure is often observed in septic patients.

Watch out for confusion and agitation as well as dizziness and decreased urination.

Some with sepsis develop a reddish discoloration rash on their skin or small dark red dots throughout the body.

People may also suffer painful joints at the wrist, back, hips, elbows, ankles, and knees.

As you can see some of the symptoms sound like the flu or other disorders.

On a weirdly personal note, a friend and an acquaintance died of sepsis during the month of November. They knew each other but died in different cities. Sepsis was the cause of death in both cases. I have to wonder if they knew the cause, why didn't they know the treatment or cure or more importantly, the diagnosis to begin with.

Misdiagnosing sepsis is considered medical malpractice.