The NHS has issued an urgent warning, urging Brits to call 999 if they notice their tongue turning blue, pale, or grey. This could be a sign of sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection that can cause significant damage to tissues and organs.
Sepsis: A Deadly Emergency
Sepsis is estimated to cause around 4,000 deaths per year in England, according to a recent NHS update. In a post on social media platform X, the NHS stated: “Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection which needs urgent treatment in hospital straight away. It can be hard to spot, so make sure you know the symptoms.”
The health body emphasized that both adults and children with sepsis may exhibit changes in the color of their skin, lips, or tongue. On black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
Other Symptoms in Adults
- Difficulty breathing
- Acting confused, slurred speech, or not making sense
- Uncontrollable shivering
- Muscle pain
- A high or low temperature (high temperature is less common in older adults)
- Not peeing all day or peeing very little in the past 18 hours
Symptoms in Children
- Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast
- Having a fit (seizure)
- A high or low temperature
- A rash that does not fade when you press it
- Being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
- Not peeing in the last 12 hours (for babies and children under five years), or not peeing all day (for children five years and over)
The NHS advised: “If you or someone else has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E. Trust your instincts.”
Causes of Sepsis
The exact cause of sepsis is not known. The NHS explains: “It's thought your immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body's organs. The risk of getting sepsis may also be affected by the type of infection, your age, genetics and any other conditions you have.” Any infection can lead to sepsis, but bacterial infections are the most common cause, including chest infections (pneumonia), urinary tract infections (UTIs), abdominal infections such as appendicitis, and skin infections like cellulitis or infected wounds.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone can get sepsis, but the risk is higher if: a baby is under 12 months; you are over 75 years; you are pregnant, have given birth, or had an abortion or miscarriage in the past six weeks; your immune system is weakened due to conditions like HIV or sickle cell disease, chemotherapy, or corticosteroids/immunosuppressants; you have a burn, cut, wound, or skin infection like cellulitis; you have a catheter; or you inject illegal drugs or misuse alcohol.
If you have had sepsis, you may have a higher chance of other infections due to immune system damage. The NHS advises calling 111 if you or your child have had sepsis in the past 12 months and develop symptoms of an infection, such as a very high temperature or feeling hot, cold, or shivery.
