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

Corey Cocke

Survivor

After 4 weeks of illness from covid 19 and getting sicker by the day..I laid down to take a nap. Woke up shaking, colder than I’d ever been. After about 10 mins of trying to get warm my family called 911. Took the ER about 36 hour too figure out I had sepsis. (Sepsis and COVID-19) I lost consciousness in route to ER. Took 5 days for me even realize I was still alive. Days 1 through 4 I was given 10% chance of survival. Been home 7 weeks now. Already had a relapse of leg infection. And wondering if ... Read Full Story

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Leigh Thompson

Survivor, Survivor

I had full back fusion surgery January 11 and 13th. Feeling good after a month walking on the treadmill. Well then I was rushed to the hospital in ambulance 1st thing the morning of March 12th. I couldn’t walk or stand and felt horrible. (Sepsis and Surgery) My left side was inflamed at my joints, swollen left foot, I can’t stand. Left hand is swollen. Doctors ran so many tests and diagnosed me with sepsis. I spent 13 days in the hospital with so many tests on my heart, legs for blood clots and blood work. I ruptured the tendon ... Read Full Story

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Holly Mccarroll

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

I contracted sepsis from an unsterile IV line from a helicopter that got infected and spread to my blood. (Sepsis and Invasive Devices) Every time I would beat it, I would relapse and get it again within a few weeks. This went on for months before I finally kicked it. Not only was my body failing but my mental health declined so much during that time. I feel overwhelmingly grateful to all the nurses that stood by me and took care of both my body and my brain. I’m so thankful for the Sepsis Alliance for educating people about a ... Read Full Story

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Shawnise Chantell

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

2019. After a peaceful beautiful birth of my third child, I opted in for a tubal ligation. I understood that the procedure was simple and harmless. The doctor was immediately ready for surgery so I didn’t get to bond with my baby and breastfeed. Immediately after surgery I declined. I constantly voiced severe abdominal pain, showed signs of fever, low blood pressure, fatigue and fainting, as well as my refusal to eat. However all signs were ignored. During surgery the doctor perforated my bowel and it was left untreated for 6 days. (Sepsis and Perforated Bowel) I remained hospitalized for ... Read Full Story

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Pat Essner

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

2017 Memorial Day Weekend – I was 67 years old, widowed and living alone. I was in treatment with antibiotics off and on 2-3 months for a UTI, and currently on an antibiotic, a culture was taken but no results. I never had fever or pain with any of my UTIs, I knew I had them because of severe fatigue difficulty with urination. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infection) About 11:30 pm Sunday I awoke with nausea. Immediately vomited, just once. Extreme chills and unable to get warm. I must have had a fever because I awoke wringing wet, along with ... Read Full Story

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