What is Sepsis?

Sepsis, which was often called “blood poisoning,” is a life-threatening emergency that happens when your body’s response to an infection damages vital organs and, often, causes 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.

Michael Lathon

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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Charla Martinez

Survivor, Survivor

I’m 23 years old and I am a postpartum sepsis survivor. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) I was a first time mom and had a healthy pregnancy throughout, although I did find out mid pregnancy that I had strep B. (Sepsis and Group B Streptococcus) My former OBGYN let me know some women just have it in their body and it could be treated with antibiotics so I didn’t think much of it. I ended up switching providers and they never really followed up with it. Right before going in to get my c-section, I got tested for COVID, to ... Read Full Story

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Steve B.

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

I had a procedure to remove a kidney stone. (Sepsis and Kidney Stones) Doctor said in and out same day operation. Well apparently my anatomy wasn’t very easy for her to navigate to find the stone and blast it out with her little laser tool. She then placed a tube in the ureter to prevent pain and damage when the stone passed. After the surgery I was still in pain that I never knew existed, so I was rolled down the hall to get a CAT scan. She got the results and brought her laptop to see what was going ... Read Full Story

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Eugene Johnson

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

I thought it as the flu. I started losing my ability to taste August of 2018 at that time I thought I had a summer cold. I had just gotten a job at KFC and everything was going well until was having dizzy spells and blacking out at work, in the shower, in bed. I thought it maybe low iron soon got iron pills. By mid October I had to quit my job because It took me 3 hours to garner enough energy to walk 10 steps to the bathroom. By late November I was bed ridden and thought it ... Read Full Story

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Duane Hodgin

Survivor, Survivor, 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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Upcoming Events

Sepsis Alliance Connect: New Platform Tour

April 2, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Date: April 2, 2024 Time: 2 PM ET Description:  Whether you’re excited to see what new features are available in Sepsis Alliance Connect or you’re a bit worried about any …

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Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference

April 10, 2024 | 10:30 am - 5:00 pm

Date: April 10-11, 2024 Time: 10:30 am – 4:50 pm ET / 7:30 am – 1:50 pm PT Description:  Designed to explore cutting-edge solutions for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthcare, …

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Sepsis Alliance Voices Advocacy Training: Storytelling for Advocates

April 18, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Date: Thursday, April 18th, 2024 Time: 2 pm ET – 3 pm ET / 11 am PT – 12 pm PT  Description:  Do you have a personal experience with sepsis – …

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Sepsis News

Sepsis Alliance Receives Competitive Engagement Award from PCORI to Further Patient Engagement and Sepsis Work

March 26, 2024

Sepsis Alliance has been approved for a Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), an independent, non-profit research organization created to help patients and those …

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World Oral Health Day

March 20, 2024

March 20 is World Oral Health Day. Learn about sepsis and oral health by clicking the link below.

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World Kidney Day

March 14, 2024

March 14 is World Kidney Day. Learn more about sepsis and kidney health by clicking the link below.

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