Patients & Family

Sepsis Alliance provides information and resources to help you better understand your or your loved one’s sepsis diagnosis.

Diagnosed with Sepsis

For anyone recently diagnosed with sepsis, this is the place to start.

Sepsis Basics

Sepsis Survivors

Some sepsis survivors recover completely and resume their lives, while others may struggle to cope with enduring effects of their illness. Here you can find information to help you navigate post-sepsis life.

Survivor Resources

Caregivers

When your loved one becomes ill with sepsis, you may not know what sepsis is or how to help them. Here are resources that may help you navigate this complex and difficult journey.

Caregiver Resources

Lost Loved Ones

Losing a loved one to sepsis can leave you with grief as well as many questions. Here are answers to some of the questions you may have after losing a loved one to sepsis.

Resources for Loved Ones

Sepsis Alliance Connect

Sepsis Alliance Connect is the virtual support community for anyone affected by sepsis.

Sepsis Alliance Connect

Faces of Sepsis

Kelli Taylor

Survivor

My name is Kelli. I was a healthy person for most of my life – productive, happy, grateful, and filled with hope. Amid the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, however, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Optimistic doctors called my treatment plan a “chip shot” because of the tumor’s position— a standard surgery followed by radiation. But just after the surgery, a secondary infection cropped up, requiring another procedure. The second surgery was a success, and I finally began the delayed course of radiation. Goodbye, hospitals and cancer! Then, just before my final week of radiation, I developed sepsis. Radiation was not ... Read Full Story

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Roger Pitre

Survivor, Survivor

I want to share my story to raise awareness about the dangers of cellulitis and the importance of seeking medical care early. Without quick action, I might not be here today to tell this story. (Sepsis and Cellulitis) It started with a small blister on my hand from removing ceramic tiles during a home improvement project. I also nicked my hand near the blister. I cleaned the wound, bandaged it, and thought nothing more of it. A few days later, on my 50th birthday, I felt disoriented and developed arm pain, a fever, and nausea. Thinking it might be a ... Read Full Story

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Liz P.

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

Friday the 13th, yes, Friday the 13th! A beautiful autumn day in October 2023 was a routine day for my husband and myself, a retired, relatively healthy couple aged in our mid seventies. While preparing to retire, later in the evening than usual for us, and feeling the need to urinate, my attempt was unsuccessful. After several additional attempts, but without pain, I made a mental note to contact my physician in the morning, believing I might have a UTI. A decade earlier, I had, with great pain, passed a kidney stone without difficulty, but had experienced the same earlier ... Read Full Story

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Kathleen C.

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

In April 2024 went into severe septic shock from bowel rupture. (Sepsis and Perforated Bowel) Was on ventilator for 8 days, went into liver failure, heart failure, Afib, and renal failure requiring dialysis. I then develop PRES syndrome and lost my vision. Was in hospital for 7 weeks. All organs have returned to normal and my vision is back. I currently have post sepsis syndrome but blessed to have made it through such a critical health crisis. Read Full Story

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Lindsey Rowe

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

I’m 35 and have been an ICU nurse for 13 years. I have taken care of many patients in septic shock. Yet when I was sent home from two ERs with a “just a virus” diagnosis, I didn’t think much of it. I was the sickest I had ever been, but if they thought I was okay? I must be. I woke up from a nap literally blue. Everything hurt, including wearing clothes. My husband luckily didn’t listen to me and immediately called 911. The paramedics who came couldn’t get my blood pressure to read. They had an even harder ... Read Full Story

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