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.

Dina M.

Survivor

2019 has been overwhelming. My body was telling me something was wrong. I went to the doctor and expressed my concern that I was experiencing symptoms of a UTI. My doctor ordered labs, but I never received a call nor was anything prescribed to me. My white blood count was a little high but my other cultures came back negative, and that’s where it ended. So I thought. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) A few weeks later, I started having back pain. I didn’t think much of it since I’m always on the go and I had been very busy ... 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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Duane Hodgin

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

At the age of 55, I contracted sepsis after rotator cuff surgery. Within a week of the surgery, a large, red, nodule developed on my shoulder. (Sepsis and Surgery) I went to my family doctor who had me immediately admitted to the hospital where tests determined I had sepsis. An infectious disease doctor was called to examine me. He said I was fortunate I got to the hospital when I did. I was treated with Lilly Pharmaceutical’s most powerful drug at the time. After four days on IV drips, I was sent home but had to continue daily IV treatment ... Read Full Story

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Matthew Sucese

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

About a couple weeks ago (currently the 17th of July) I was sent to the ER to find out I had a 8MM kidney stone, after blood work they had taken a different tone. I wasn’t aware I had sepsis until the second day in the hospital, they wanted to keep me calm until I had my surgeries. (Sepsis and Kidney Stones) My nurses and doctors were fantastic I am incredibly thankful they were so attentive and so kind when I was at my worst. I was told that if I waited a day it would have been fatal, I ... 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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