PARENTS in the South West are urged to check their children for sepsis as the NHS plans to wage war on the deadly disease.

Millions of leaflets have been handed out in emergency departments, GP surgeries and maternity wards.

The leaflets, targeted at parents of children aged 0-4, will tell them to ‘think sepsis’ when symptoms appear. The campaign also features a new film featuring mother and campaigner Melissa Mead, who lost her baby son William to sepsis in December 2014.

Parents have been told to visit A&E immediately or call 999 if their child looks mottled, bluish or pale, is very lethargic or difficult to wake, feels abnormally cold to touch, is breathing very fast, has a rash that does not fade when you press it or has a fit or convulsion.

Caroline Gamlin, NHS England South West medical director said: “Sepsis is a major killer, claiming over 37,000 lives each year, which is why it is so important for parents to know what action to take when their child is unwell. This campaign will help parents identify when their children are seriously unwell and to encourage them to seek urgent medical attention. We know that acting quickly can save a child’s life.

"“Right across NHS England we have started a new movement to tackle this condition head on, from nurses and doctors on the wards, to paramedics seeing patients in their homes, staff across the NHS are being made more aware of how to spot and deal with sepsis.”

Sepsis occurs when a bacterial infection – such as septicaemia or blood poisoning – sparks a violent immune response in which the body attacks its own organs.

It is notoriously difficult to diagnose and life-saving antibiotics are often given too late.

The UK Sepsis Trust estimates there are more than 120,000 cases of sepsis in adults and children and around 37,000 deaths each year in England.

Dr Ron Daniels BEM, Chief Executive of the UK Sepsis Trust which will help deliver the campaign, added: “With sepsis claiming over 37,000 lives annually in England, this awareness campaign is a crucial step forward. Clinicians and members of the public can save thousands of lives every year if they just ask: could it be sepsis?”

“The UK Sepsis Trust welcomes this initiative, but system-wide improvements to sepsis care must follow. We’re delighted to have developed campaign materials that will empower parents to identify sepsis symptoms in their children and seek medical attention immediately.”

For more information go to sepsistrust.org