What is Sepsis?

Sepsis, which was often called “blood poisoning,” is a life-threatening emergency that happens when your body’s response to an infection damages vital organs and, often, causes death. Learn more about the symptoms of sepsis, which kills 350,000 adults each year in the United States.

Faces of Sepsis™

Faces of Sepsis™ is a collection of sepsis experiences, as told by sepsis survivors, caregivers, and those who have lost a loved one. Click below to read their stories or submit your own.

Keith Throop

Survivor

Back in early November 2021, I underwent a transrectal biopsy for prostate cancer that led to complications. After about three days, I was in the emergency room with acute prostatitis and sepsis. (Sepsis and Surgery) Apparently, the usual antibiotics they had given at the time of the procedure (Cipro) failed to work. I spent four days in the hospital and went home feeling much better and taking a different antibiotic (Augmentin). However, after about three more days, I was back in the emergency room again with acute prostatitis and sepsis. This time I spent six days in the hospital, during ... Read Full Story

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Tammi Davis

Survivor, Survivor

My mother entered the ER in March of 2017 for lower back and chills. Once she got there things changed quickly. She developed a fever and could no longer produce urine and was in incredible pain . She was diagnosed with kidney stones and the doctors suggested for her to go home and to just try pass the stones on her own. (Sepsis and Kidney Stones) My mom felt something was not right and insisted on staying at least over night for observation. The doctor agreed. When my mother got admitted onto the hospital floor, things took a turn for the ... Read Full Story

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Promise Selepe

Survivor, Survivor, Tribute

Blessing was only 6 months when she started being sick. She was irritated and crying nonstop. We went to a general practitioner and she said she was teething. We went home later that night. When I was changing her diaper, I noticed her right leg was swollen I thought it’s nothing serious. I thought it was swollen because of the measles vaccine she got. The following day I noticed she was getting worse so we decided to take her to the local clinic where they sent us to the local hospital. When we got the hospital, while waiting to the ... Read Full Story

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Duane Hodgin

Survivor, Survivor, Tribute, Survivor

At the age of 55, I contracted sepsis after rotator cuff surgery. Within a week of the surgery, a large, red, nodule developed on my shoulder. (Sepsis and Surgery) I went to my family doctor who had me immediately admitted to the hospital where tests determined I had sepsis. An infectious disease doctor was called to examine me. He said I was fortunate I got to the hospital when I did. I was treated with Lilly Pharmaceutical’s most powerful drug at the time. After four days on IV drips, I was sent home but had to continue daily IV treatment ... Read Full Story

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Michael Lathon

Survivor, Survivor, Tribute, Survivor, Survivor

I started having continuous UTIs in the last week of January 2022. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) After every hospital stay I would get another one in about 7 days. After multiple trips to the hospital I developed sepsis and Covid but no one could figure out why. I was then placed on a super drug that killed the infection but also killed my good bacteria. I was then sent home with a PICC line in my arm to do my own IV for another month of treatment. After that I developed the septic rash and a huge posterior neck ... Read Full Story

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Upcoming Events

Advancements in Pediatric Sepsis Diagnosis: Introducing the Phoenix Sepsis Score

April 24, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Date: April 24, 2024 Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET / 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT Description: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and globally is one of the leading …

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Sponsored Webinar: More Secrets of the CBC…Use the Diff to Make a Diff!

April 30, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Date: April 30, 2024 Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET / 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT Description:  In this follow-up to the 2023 webinar, sponsored by Beckman Coulter, take …

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Sepsis Alliance Connect Presentation: What Can Recreational Therapy Teach Us About Managing Symptoms Common to Sepsis Survivors and Their Loved Ones?

April 30, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Date: April 30, 2024 Time: 2 PM ET Description:  Recreational therapy is a type of therapy that uses leisure activities to support physical and mental/emotional healing in people with illnesses …

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Sepsis News

Pediatric Sepsis Week: April 21-27

April 21, 2024

April 21-27 is Pediatric Sepsis Week. Learn more about pediatric sepsis by clicking the link below.

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Sepsis Alliance Applauds Reintroduction of Lulu’s Law in Advance of Pediatric Sepsis Week

April 18, 2024

The bipartisan bill, named for a four-year-old who was lost to sepsis, will enable the U.S. to tackle a condition that takes the lives of nearly 20 children each day. …

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Black Maternal Health Week: April 11-17

April 11, 2024

April 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week. Learn more about sepsis and maternal health by clicking the link below.

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