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.

Maitreyi Kruthiventy

Survivor

In 2018 towards the end of April I had developed severe pain in my left abdomen ranging from back to front. It was so severe but the doctor ruled it out as urine infection. Even after using medicines the pain wouldn’t go away. After ten days of pure suffering, they found that a large chocolate cyst has filled my left ovary and both of them had to be removed. After the surgery my pain went away but extreme weakness started with no urine output. I was shifted to super speciality hospital which diagnosed septic shock and my kidneys had shut ... 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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M. Lee Fleming

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

Hi, My name is Lee and I’m a dog attack victim and a sepsis and septic shock survivor. I’m also a “DIC” and dry gangrene survivor. I have trouble comprehending why I am so blessed! (Sepsis and Animal Bites, Sepsis and Septic Shock, Sepsis and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) My story began on Christmas Day, 2021 on a normal, daily walk with my wife and my two dogs through our neighborhood park. It was a beautiful, exceptionally warm Christmas in North Carolina when we left the house around 4:00pm. We strolled down through the park toward the water and as ... Read Full Story

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Savon Khiev

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

04/26/2022, my husband (38 years old) had acute ruptured appendicitis that led to severe sepsis. (Sepsis and Appendicitis) Luckily, we made it to the hospital in time after he returned back to Houston from Austin. It led to acidosis, collapsed lung, pericardial effusion, and he had a heart attack. He was in the hospital for about a week, but now we are told he may have an abscess because there’s a mass in his right abdomen. He had an exercise stress test and failed it, so he will be doing a nuclear stress test in a few days to see ... Read Full Story

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Juan Carlos Montanez

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Tribute

I met my husband Juan in 2012 we were married in 2013. I knew he was diabetic because he shared that with me. He also had a few toes amputated on his feet due to his diabetes. (Sepsis and Diabetes, Sepsis and Amputations) Our entire marriage I always made sure he took care of himself and didn’t do too much of anything due to how sensitive his feet were from getting diabetic ulcers feet. Juan was very good at hiding the problem. Through the years I learned on what to look for and how to know something was wrong. Juan ... Read Full Story

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Upcoming Events

Sepsis Alliance Voices Advocacy Training: Making an Appropriations Request

March 19, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 Time: 2:00 – 2:30 pm ET/11:00 – 11:30 am PT Description:  Congress is currently deciding what projects and initiatives will receive federal funding for the …

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Webinar: Safeguarding Students Part 2 – Raising Awareness of Sepsis in Schools and Integrating Post-Sepsis Support

March 21, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024 Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET/11:00 – 12:00 pm PT Description:  Sepsis affects more than 50 million people worldwide each year, and almost half are …

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Sponsored Webinar: Improving SEP-1 Fluid Resuscitation Compliance Through Nurse-Driven Protocols

March 27, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Date: March 27, 2024 Time: 2:00 – 2:30 pm ET / 11:00 am – 11:30 am PT Description:  In this sponsored webinar, Morgan Swearingin, MSN-Ed, RN, CCRN, will discuss the …

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Sepsis News

World Kidney Day

March 14, 2024

March 14 is World Kidney Day. Learn more about sepsis and kidney health by clicking the link below.

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Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March 1, 2024

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Learn more about sepsis and developmental disabilities by clicking the link below.

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World Cancer Day

February 4, 2024

February 4 is World Cancer Day. Learn more about sepsis and cancer by clicking the link below.

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