Can you be septic without a fever?
My elderly mother has a severe infection, and while she's feeling very unwell and weak, she hasn't developed a fever. We are really worried about sepsis. Can someone be septic without a fever?
6 answers
8 months ago
Most liked
In my years, I have seen that elderly people often don't show a high fever even when they have a severe infection. Sometimes, their body temperature actually drops or they just get very confused. It is a very serious condition, so don't wait for a fever to see a doctor.
7 months ago
I am really new to learning about infection risks, but is it possible for sepsis to develop very quickly from a small cut? What are the other red flags we should watch out for if there is no fever present?
6 months ago
Hey, don't stress too much, but definitely don't ignore it either. Sepsis is a major medical emergency, and sometimes the body reacts by getting very cold instead of hot. If you or someone else is feeling super weak and breathing fast, just call a doctor right away to be safe!
5 months ago
Yes, sepsis can definitely occur without a fever, especially in older adults or those with weak immune systems. Please monitor for rapid heart rate or confusion and consult a doctor immediately.
Powered by
Consult a internal medicine specialist
yrs exp
5 months ago
I used to think fever was the only sign of a major infection and panicked when my father became extremely cold and weak after surgery. The doctor reassured us that hypothermia, or low body temperature, is also a sign of sepsis. If there's fast breathing or confusion, please head to the hospital immediately.
5 months ago
I am feeling so anxious reading about this. My mother has a UTI and is feeling extremely shivering and sleepy, but her temperature is normal. Has anyone else experienced sepsis symptoms without a high fever? I am really worried if I should take her to the emergency room.