What is Sepsis?

Sepsis, which was often called “blood poisoning,” 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.

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: Make an Impact this Sepsis Awareness Month

June 12, 2023 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Date: June 12, 2023 Time: 2:00 ET / 11:00 am PT Description:  September is Sepsis Awareness Month! Are you ready to make an impact?  One way to raise awareness this …

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Sepsis Alliance Connect Presentation: EMDR Therapy- How Do We Treat Trauma?

June 21, 2023 | 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm

Date: June 21, 2023 Time: 12 pm ET Description:  Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a mental health treatment method which involves moving your eyes in specific ways …

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Sepsis Alliance Symposium: Precision Sepsis Care

June 23, 2023 | 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Date: June 23, 2023 Time: 12:00 – 4:30 pm ET / 9:00 am – 1:30 pm PT Description:  The clinical complexity and heterogeneity following infection and sepsis is a well-recognized challenge …

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Sepsis News

PTSD Awareness Month

June 1, 2023

June is PTSD Awareness Month. Learn more about sepsis and PTSD by clicking below.

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Maternal Sepsis Week

May 14, 2023

May 14-20 is Maternal Sepsis Week. Learn more about sepsis and maternal health by clicking below.

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National Nurses Week

May 6, 2023

May 6-12 is National Nurses Week. Sepsis Alliance has created a community for nurses and healthcare professionals around sepsis treatment and care. Click below to learn more.

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