Fever and rigors = septicaemia. Cultures, antibiotics and admission are required.
Don't attribute "aches and pains" to viral illness – sepsis causes the same symptoms.
Thrombocytopenia in the febrile patient should always be considered to be due to sepsis.
Lymphopenia is more commonly due to bacteraemia in febrile ED patients than viral illness.
Don't underestimate the severity of infection in younger patients. Just because the old are vulnerable doesn't mean the young are indestructible.
Don't get hung up on finding the cause of sepsis – make sure you accurately assess the severity of it, treat with antibiotics and provide good supportive care.
If you are unsure of the severity of the sepsis – measure the lactate.
Lots of organisms more commonly cause bacteraemia than meningococcal disease.
The rash of meningococcal disease is usually absent or not purpuric to start with.