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.

Eugene Johnson

Survivor

I thought it as the flu. I started losing my ability to taste August of 2018 at that time I thought I had a summer cold. I had just gotten a job at KFC and everything was going well until was having dizzy spells and blacking out at work, in the shower, in bed. I thought it maybe low iron soon got iron pills. By mid October I had to quit my job because It took me 3 hours to garner enough energy to walk 10 steps to the bathroom. By late November I was bed ridden and thought it ... Read Full Story

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M. Lee Fleming

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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Jay Venom

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

I was at the severe sepsis stage when I was hospitalized, I wasn’t aware I had sepsis. I ignored the symptoms and thought it was a mild case of food poisoning. As days went by my symptoms worsened. I’m so grateful everyday for allowing me to beat this, and I,m so glad I was able to find Sepsis Alliance online! I became more educated about what sepsis is more than I was when I was inpatient. Now I don’t feel alone knowing there are other survivors like me. Read Full Story

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Charla Martinez

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

I’m 23 years old and I am a postpartum sepsis survivor. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) I was a first time mom and had a healthy pregnancy throughout, although I did find out mid pregnancy that I had strep B. (Sepsis and Group B Streptococcus) My former OBGYN let me know some women just have it in their body and it could be treated with antibiotics so I didn’t think much of it. I ended up switching providers and they never really followed up with it. Right before going in to get my c-section, I got tested for COVID, to ... Read Full Story

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Keith Throop

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, 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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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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