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.

Alexander Nguyen

Survivor

Back in September of 2022 I started feeling sick which honestly just felt like flu-like symptoms. I didn’t think anything of it besides just being sick. I started just taking over the counter medication hoping it would stop. However, I know I got sepsis through bacteria from open wounds from my MMA gym I go to. (Sepsis and Bacterial Infections) I should’ve taken care of it sooner when my wounds wouldn’t heal correctly and my body temperature kept constantly changing. When I finally went to the hospital I was diagnosed with sepsis and was told that I had a very ... Read Full Story

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Jay Venom

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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Teresa Davis

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

In October of 2016 I had a non cancerous ovarian mass removed. In doing so, my doctor clipped my bowel. (Sepsis and Perforated Bowel) I was sewn up, no drains and stayed in the hospital a week before they let me go home. Within two weeks of being home, I couldn’t eat, had no energy, was nauseous, and could not breath if I attempted to lie back. They had me come in right away for a CT. From that point I was given a sedation (during the CT), and sent to emergency surgery. The bowel had been leaking content into ... Read Full Story

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Kimberly Emanuel

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

January 7th began with a sigh of relief. I had made it to 2nd semester and no one in my home was affected by COVID. At that point, this was a major accomplishment and I felt all of our precautions were successful. My husband noticed that my responses this particular evening were off. He found my answers odd and I seemed distracted. Following his instincts, he called 911. The operator asked him to ask me my name. I was able to muster the first syllable before losing consciousness. Within an hour of arriving at the hospital, I was placed on ... Read Full Story

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Maitreyi Kruthiventy

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, 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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Upcoming Events

Sepsis Alliance Summit

September 27, 2023 | 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

Date: September 27-28 Time: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm ET / 7:30 am – 1:30 pm PT Description:  This September, Sepsis Alliance is proudly hosting its Sepsis Alliance Summit. Set …

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Webinar: Navigating SEP-1 and HVBP: A Comprehensive Guide to Readiness and Compliance

October 10, 2023 | 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Date: October 10, 2023 Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm PT Description:  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized the inclusion …

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Sponsored Webinar: Changing the Paradigm of Patient Care with New Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Technologies

November 7, 2023 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Date: November 7, 2023 Time: 11:00 – 12:00 pm ET / 8:00 – 9:00 am PT Description:  Bloodstream infection is a medical emergency that necessitates promptly administering appropriate antibiotics. The …

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Sepsis News

World Patient Safety Day

September 17, 2023

September 17 is World Patient Safety Day, and this year’s theme is “Medication Safety”. Learn more about how antimicrobial resistance affects patient safety at the link below.

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Teenage Sepsis Survivor Speaks at Capitol Hill World Sepsis Day Event

September 13, 2023

Media Contact: Amanda Feinman (she/her) Advocacy Communications & Operations Manager Sepsis Alliance afeinman@sepsis.org Washington, DC – Tonight, Members of Congress, Congressional staffers, and advocates alike commemorated World Sepsis Day at …

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World Sepsis Day

September 13 is World Sepsis Day. Learn the signs and symptoms of sepsis by clicking the link below.

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