What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and 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.

M. Lee Fleming

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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Michael Lathon

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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Kayla Ferrer

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

Kayla was admitted for hip pain then became septic due to osteomyelitis of the hip, which was also MRSA. Due to her asthma she got pneumonia. (Sepsis and MRSA, Sepsis and Pneumonia) Kayla was intubated two days after being admitted. Went into surgery to remove the infection but unfortunately her heart was failing she received two rounds of chest compressions and was placed on ECMO. Kayla was not getting any better her left lung was completely collapsed after a bronchoscopy that an RT recommended. From one day to another she showed so much improvement. After 7 days on ECMO she ... Read Full Story

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Keith Throop

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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Tammi Davis

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, 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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Upcoming Events

CE Webinar: Sepsis Risks and Clinical Considerations in Pediatric Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

April 20, 2023 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Date: April 20, 2023 Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET / 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT Description:  Having an intellectual disability puts many children at higher risk of sepsis. It …

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Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference

April 26, 2023 | 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

Event Description: Sepsis and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are closely and challengingly linked. Broad-spectrum antimicrobials are often the first line of defense in treating patients with sepsis, but limiting unnecessary antimicrobial …

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CE Webinar: Maternal Sepsis: Epidemiology, Early Detection, and Equity Considerations

May 18, 2023 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Date: May 18, 2023 Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET / 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT Description:  Sepsis in labor and postpartum is a leading cause of maternal morbidity …

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Sepsis News

World Oral Health Day

March 20, 2023

March 20th is World Oral Health Day. Learn more about sepsis and oral health by clicking below.

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Patient Safety Awareness Week

March 12, 2023

March 12th – 18th is Patient Safety Awareness Week. Access resources for healthcare professionals, to improve your sepsis care.

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World Kidney Day

March 9, 2023

March 9th is World Kidney Day. Learn more about sepsis and kidney disease by clicking below.

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