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

John Stevenson

Survivor

I was living in Los Angeles and had recently retired when my daughter on Long Island called and asked me to help with moving her and her family to L.A. I flew out and remember scratching my elbow the first day in N.Y.  Of course it healed right away. A month later we drove to L.A. and I felt feverish the last couple of days. When I got home I felt horrible and drove myself to the hospital. I had a 106° fever when I arrived. Put in emergency overnight and heard a nurse talking about amputation of my arm. ... Read Full Story

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Pat Essner

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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David Guy

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

On July 25,2022 I underwent hip replacement surgery on my right hip and the recovery was progressing really well to the point I was jogging and ready to go back to work by the end of October. On November 4,2022 after my last rehab session I started having discomfort my hip on the way home. By the time I got home 30 minutes later at 4:30, I was feeling disoriented and started having a low grade fever. By 6:30 it was 103.5 and I was shivering. I emailed my physical therapist who contacted my surgeon, who told me to come ... Read Full Story

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Francisco Tienda

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

I went in for a meniscus repair on 10/ 1/2020.. At post op appointment on 10/9/21 I woke up with fluid coming out of incisions. Doctor said to apply a bandaid, ice and elevate. The pain/drainage got worse. (Sepsis and Surgery) My daughter rushed me to the hospital on 10/23/21.; infection in the joint and in blood. I went into multi-organ failure and was put into an induced coma. Within 24 hours the doctors thought I would die. I was in a coma for 10 days. Spent 45 days in hospital got out on November 30,2020, My wife found new ... Read Full Story

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Richard Gustke

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

Sepsis, that can kill you! I don’t recall how many time I heard that, post-recovery. My event started as with many older men, with tracking of my PSA, to detect prostate cancer. After a blood test late 2022, it was determined that I had elevated PSA, and further tests were needed. In January of 2023 I had an MRI which proved to be inconclusive. In late March 2023 I had a partial prostate biopsy in an office procedure, and left a little woozy. I had had a prostate biopsy before, and kind of knew what to expect. This one seemed ... 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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