Sepsis Survivors

Being discharged from the hospital is a good day for most people, but it can also be stressful. Post-sepsis life can have challenges, especially if you have been left with long-term problems related to your illness. Some sepsis survivors recover completely and resume their lives, while others may struggle to cope, something no one expected.

Here you can find information to help you navigate post-sepsis life.

Starting in 2019, Sepsis Alliance added to the awareness efforts by launching Sepsis Survivor Week, which focuses on the survivors and the challenges they may face. Click here to learn more about Sepsis Survivor Week.

FAQ

Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section addresses many questions related to sepsis and life after sepsis. Survivors and their family and friends can find answers to questions, such as can I get sepsis again, why am I so tired, and can sepsis be prevented? You may also find our Life After Sepsis Information Guide helpful in explaining some of the issues that could last long after discharge from the hospital.

KNOW THE SEPSIS FACTS

Many researchers are working to learn more about what causes sepsis, how it affects patients, and life after sepsis. Learn more about the facts and statistics in the Life After Sepsis Fact Sheet.

AFTER DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL

Once you have been discharged from the hospital, it may seem that you’ve been left to fend for yourself. Discharge instructions are sometimes rushed or may be incomplete, or you may not think of the questions you need to ask. To help you with the hospital to home or hospital to rehab transition, Sepsis Alliance has put together a checklist with the most common issues that come up. Click here for the list.

We have also created a discharge kit for those being released from the hospital after COVID-19. Download the guide here.

Since sepsis survivors are at risk for repeat infections, you should also speak with your doctor about any vaccinations that you may need to reduce the likelihood of getting another infection. You can learn more at Prevention: Vaccines. Regaining your health after sepsis can also be slow, but good nutrition can help you along the way. Learn more about nutrition after sepsis here.

CONNECT WITH OTHER SEPSIS SURVIVORS

Sepsis Alliance Connect is a virtual support community designed for the millions of people affected by sepsis. Click here to learn more or to sign up.

LEARNING ABOUT POST-SEPSIS SYNDROME (PSS)

Many people who spend time in an intensive care unit (ICU) develop problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Those who were treated for sepsis may develop not only PTSD, but other problems as well. You can learn more about PSS here and PTSD here.

COPING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

Your mental health is a vital part of your overall recovery. If you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue and you don’t know where to turn, visit our Mental Health Resources page for a list of organizations that may help you.

EXPLAINING POST-SEPSIS ISSUES TO OTHERS

If you are experiencing problems after your discharge, either physical, cognitive, or psychological, you may find it difficult to explain. To help explain post-sepsis issues, Sepsis Alliance has written letters that explain sepsis and PSS to:

CONDITIONS THAT CAN CAUSE SEPSIS

Anyone can develop sepsis, but some people are at higher risk, including sepsis survivors. Learn how sepsis is associated with various conditions, such as diabetes or cancer in our Sepsis and… library.

Updated March 25, 2021.

Video Resources

Faces of Sepsis: Survivor Panel

Presented by sepsis survivors for sepsis survivors, this webinar includes a panel discussion about life after sepsis. Three sepsis survivors will tell their stories and will answer attendee questions about their experiences with sepsis, as well as how they found purpose and returned to life after sepsis.

Septic Shock with Multiple Amputations: A Survivor’s Story

Edward Couzens-Lake

Survivor

Christmas 2022. Covid-19. A bit of a breeze really, similar to having a cold. Considered myself the proverbial tough guy, tested negative by the end of the year. Middle of January 2023, something, clearly, was NOT right. Intense lower back pain, a metallic taste in my mouth and gut that wouldn’t go away and fatigue on a previously unknown basis. Got worse, daily. Dry retching every night, a cough that really felt as if it was to die for. Beginning of Feb 2023. Collapsed at the foot of my mother’s stairs. She said she was calling an ambulance, I said, ... Read Full Story

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Nicole Ireland

Survivor, Survivor

Two weeks after giving birth to a beautiful baby girl I ended up in the ER with severe septic shock. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) There were hours the doctors were unsure what was wrong with me and told my husband to prepare for the worst and asked if I would want lifesaving measures taken. I spent 10 days in the hospital, some of that time spent in the ICU after emergency surgery. There was nothing worse than having to be fighting for my life away from my sweet newborn baby girl. Even years later I deal with the reality ... Read Full Story

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Haley Vazquez

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

Hello! My name is Haley and I am a proud survivor of septic shock. In January of 2019, I had fallen ill. My temperature reached 102.4. As the week progressed, I began to lose feeling in my left leg. Whilst my body was slowly shutting down, My mom and I took a trip to a pediatric clinic where my muddy urine was mistaken for dehydration. A few doctor’s visits and one blood test later, it was clear I needed to head to the ER immediately. After those long hours in the ER, my memory is blank. February of 2019, I ... Read Full Story

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Thomas Wood

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

In November of 2021 I called into work after feeling the chills and abnormally exhausted. I ignored the symptoms for a day and told everyone I would go to the immediate care right away. I did not do that. I went a day later when my employer noticed I was confused and not making much sense. I was walked to the immediate care next door by my boss. I remember the the waiting room of the immediate care and then waking up in the ICU about 3 weeks later. During that time I was in a coma, living what felt ... Read Full Story

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Wayne G.

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

It had been very hot for days and one day my husband, Wayne said he was tired and felt cold. He rested for awhile and then I took him to the mobile clinic at 2 pm. Wayne is an active, healthy 72-year-old man. The clinic checked him out and all was fine – no fever, blood pressure fine. When we got home from clinic he laid down. At 7 pm he went outside to water flowers. When he came in he was very shaky and had extreme difficulty getting up the 2 steps into our living room. Once he was ... Read Full Story

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Help Raise Sepsis Awareness

Many sepsis survivors and loved ones feel the need to help spread sepsis awareness so others don’t go through the same thing. There are many ways you can do this:

Faces of Sepsis

Share your story through our Faces of Sepsis feature. There are more than 1,000 stories from survivors and people who have lost a loved one to sepsis. Sharing your story has three initial benefits. Many survivors and loved ones feel that writing the story down and sharing it allows them to process feelings about their illness and the aftermath. It also helps others, the readers, learn that they aren’t alone.

Too many sepsis survivors think that no one understands what they’ve gone through but when they read these stories, they no longer feel so alone. These stories also show the readers that sepsis can affect anyone – their family, friend, coworker.

Host a talk

Sepsis Alliance has made available a kit called Sepsis 911, Community Education Presentation. A second one focusing on sepsis and aging is also available.

By giving talks to social groups, friends and family, school, even coworkers, you can help educate the people around you about sepsis, what it is, how it happens, and how to reduce your risk of developing it. The kit provides you with material you need for a successful talk, such as a leader’s guide (with script), a video, customizable promotional materials, surveys, and more.

Host an awareness event/fundraiser

Local awareness events are being held across the country, spearheaded by individuals like you. Whether you want to hold a Stomp Out Sepsis or Sips for Sepsis event, or anything in between, these events help raise awareness and raise funds for Sepsis Alliance, to help support the organization’s awareness efforts. Or if you’d rather do an online awareness event, that works too. Check out the host an event page for other ideas and a fundraising toolkit.

Give to Sepsis Alliance

Sepsis Alliance is the nation’s leading organization, working in all 50 states, to save lives and reduce suffering by improving sepsis awareness and care. As a non-profit organization, Sepsis Alliance relies on generous gifts from people like you. Many employers match donations to non-profit organizations, so you may want to check if your employer does. Click here to give now.

Buy Sepsis Alliance products

You can find sepsis awareness products in our store. From symptoms cards to lapel pins, these products may introduce the word to someone who has never heard of it, stimulating a conversation about what sepsis is.

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