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.

Alexander Nguyen

Survivor

Back in September of 2022 I started feeling sick which honestly just felt like flu-like symptoms. I didn’t think anything of it besides just being sick. I started just taking over the counter medication hoping it would stop. However, I know I got sepsis through bacteria from open wounds from my MMA gym I go to. (Sepsis and Bacterial Infections) I should’ve taken care of it sooner when my wounds wouldn’t heal correctly and my body temperature kept constantly changing. When I finally went to the hospital I was diagnosed with sepsis and was told that I had a very ... Read Full Story

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Jay Venom

Survivor, Survivor

I was at the severe sepsis stage when I was hospitalized, I wasn’t aware I had sepsis. I ignored the symptoms and thought it was a mild case of food poisoning. As days went by my symptoms worsened. I’m so grateful everyday for allowing me to beat this, and I,m so glad I was able to find Sepsis Alliance online! I became more educated about what sepsis is more than I was when I was inpatient. Now I don’t feel alone knowing there are other survivors like me. Read Full Story

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Teresa Davis

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

In October of 2016 I had a non cancerous ovarian mass removed. In doing so, my doctor clipped my bowel. (Sepsis and Perforated Bowel) I was sewn up, no drains and stayed in the hospital a week before they let me go home. Within two weeks of being home, I couldn’t eat, had no energy, was nauseous, and could not breath if I attempted to lie back. They had me come in right away for a CT. From that point I was given a sedation (during the CT), and sent to emergency surgery. The bowel had been leaking content into ... Read Full Story

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Kimberly Emanuel

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

January 7th began with a sigh of relief. I had made it to 2nd semester and no one in my home was affected by COVID. At that point, this was a major accomplishment and I felt all of our precautions were successful. My husband noticed that my responses this particular evening were off. He found my answers odd and I seemed distracted. Following his instincts, he called 911. The operator asked him to ask me my name. I was able to muster the first syllable before losing consciousness. Within an hour of arriving at the hospital, I was placed on ... Read Full Story

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Maitreyi Kruthiventy

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

In 2018 towards the end of April I had developed severe pain in my left abdomen ranging from back to front. It was so severe but the doctor ruled it out as urine infection. Even after using medicines the pain wouldn’t go away. After ten days of pure suffering, they found that a large chocolate cyst has filled my left ovary and both of them had to be removed. After the surgery my pain went away but extreme weakness started with no urine output. I was shifted to super speciality hospital which diagnosed septic shock and my kidneys had shut ... 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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