The incidence of sepsis in the UK is estimated at 200,000 cases a year. Around 70% of cases of sepsis originate in the community. Most infections are self-limiting and can be managed outside hospital. However, patients with sepsis will deteriorate rapidly and each hour of delay to antibiotic administration is linked to decreased survival by 7.6%. Infants (< 1 year) and the elderly (> 75 years) seem to be far more likely to progress to sepsis than others. The assessment of sepsis in primary care should be standardised and include measurement of temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, level of consciousness and oxygen saturation in young people and adults.