Patients & Family

Sepsis Alliance provides information and resources to help you better understand your or your loved one’s sepsis diagnosis.

Diagnosed with Sepsis

For anyone recently diagnosed with sepsis, this is the place to start.

Sepsis Basics

Sepsis Survivors

Some sepsis survivors recover completely and resume their lives, while others may struggle to cope with enduring effects of their illness. Here you can find information to help you navigate post-sepsis life.

Survivor Resources

Caregivers

When your loved one becomes ill with sepsis, you may not know what sepsis is or how to help them. Here are resources that may help you navigate this complex and difficult journey.

Caregiver Resources

Lost Loved Ones

Losing a loved one to sepsis can leave you with grief as well as many questions. Here are answers to some of the questions you may have after losing a loved one to sepsis.

Resources for Loved Ones

Sepsis Alliance Connect

Sepsis Alliance Connect is the virtual support community for anyone affected by sepsis.

Sepsis Alliance Connect

Faces of Sepsis

Teresa Heidenreich

Survivor

My journey with sepsis began unexpectedly, unfolding over several months filled with intense, recurring pain in my upper right abdomen and stomach. Despite undergoing numerous ultrasounds and CT scans, the doctors were at a loss. It wasn’t until a procedure called ERCP that the mystery was finally solved: I had several stones lodged in my bile duct, igniting a painful bout of pancreatitis. After the procedure in May 2021, which removed all but one stone, I found myself hospitalized for six exhausting days, clinging to hope as I prepared to recover at home. As I settled back into my routine, ... Read Full Story

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Kim Schulz

Survivor, Survivor

In January of 2022, the pandemic was nearly past us. I was looking forward to working at the local nursing home without wearing a mask. We had begun cautiously lowering our masks for weekly staff meetings. Our nursing home was like many in the US; we had COVID-19 patients alongside others who came to us with severe bacterial infections, including chronic MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections. I was disappointed (but not surprised) to see the “plus sign” indicating I had COVID. Others on my team had already been sent home recently for having contracted the virus, but not before passing ... Read Full Story

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Gary Barrett

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

I was a healthy active 49 year old, participating in every sport I could find, after feeling unwell for about 10 days with pain and inflammation I went to the doctors I was told I had just pulled a muscle in my side and not to worry. At 1am I woke my wife up to say I could not stand the pain anymore and needed the hospital. She rushed me there and I collapsed at the entrance. I was unconscious for most of the following day, unaware of that I was losing the battle to live. The doctor, who I ... Read Full Story

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Ashley D.

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

When I was only 13 I was diagnosed with gallstones and was told to follow up with a surgeon. When I went to the surgeon they ordered a CAT scan to make sure I did indeed have gallstones. The surgeon had told me I did not have gallstones and I went to go visit my family who at the time was living in Virginia. (Sepsis and Gallstones) When I got to Virginia things were fine at first but then I started to have stomach pain that would not go away for 2 days. I eventually went to the ER and ... Read Full Story

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Brandon B.

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

Shortly after Hurricane Beryl hit Houston, Tx in July 2024, our (23yo) son diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disease, began to exhibit signs of illness. When someone you love is unable to communicate it’s one of the most difficult challenges you face as a caregiver. Initially we thought Brandon’s behavior changes were a sign of frustration due to the extended power outages in our area. Then came a sudden onset of 103 degree fever with increasing agitation. We immediately took him to the ER for assessment which revealed an ear infection and kidney stone. Shortly after arriving he ... Read Full Story

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