Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Possible sepsis in a newborn is an emergency.
Call emergency services immediately if the baby:
Is blue, grey, very pale, or blotchy
Has severe difficulty breathing or pauses in breathing
Cannot be woken or is unusually floppy
Has a seizure
Appears to be rapidly getting worse
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Do not wait for a routine appointment if a baby under 28 days old has a temperature of 38°C or higher, a temperature below 36°C, poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, breathing changes, or a marked change from their normal behaviour.
Seek urgent reassessment if symptoms return, feeding drops significantly, breathing changes, or the baby becomes harder to wake.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
After hospital discharge, follow the care team's routine follow-up plan.
The article also says
Do not delay help while trying to lower a fever or waiting for another temperature reading.
A newborn can be seriously unwell without a fever.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Neonatal sepsis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.