When the novel coronavirus SARS-Co-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) began to spread in early 2020, the healthcare community didn’t know what to expect. It quickly became obvious that COVID-19 was a serious infection. It also turned out that severe COVID-19 is viral sepsis.
Coronaviruses themselves are not new and for the most part, they aren’t usually serious. The common cold is a coronavirus, for example. But so are more serious infections, like SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). What these infections all have in common is their symptoms: coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and fever. When a new coronavirus is identified, it’s called a novel coronavirus until it’s given an official name.
COVID-19, first discovered in December 2019, was a new virus with no known previous history. Scientists had to scramble to find the virus origins, how it behaved, and what might kill it or prevent it from spreading. Although it had similar symptoms to seasonal influenza, SARS, MERS, and other illnesses, COVID-19 was not the same. And because it was a new virus, scientists had a lot to learn about the infection.
After the spread of COVID-19 began, new mutations began to circulate. This is not unusual. As viruses spread and contaminate more people, they often mutate as well. There are now thousands of COVID-19 virus mutations and variants.
The short answer is “it is very serious.” While many people who contract the virus experience mild to moderate symptoms of coughing, shortness of breath, and fever, this coronavirus affects some people harder than others. This could lead to viral sepsis and result in death. In addition, people with COVID-19 can develop secondary bacterial infections, like pneumonia, which can also lead to sepsis.
Some children who contract COVID-19 also develop a condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). It occurs when “different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs,” according to the CDC.
On September 21, 2020, the American Medical Association added the following to their website: “Surviving severe COVID-19 means surviving viral sepsis.”
Sepsis, which was often called blood poisoning, is the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Suggested Citation:
Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Coronavirus (COVID-19). 2026. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/coronavirus-covid-19/
Updated July 8, 2026.
Overall, sepsis survivors are at higher risk of contracting infections within a few months of their recovery. This would include any infection, including COVID-19. However, there is no scientific literature yet that shows a connection between surviving sepsis and developing this infection.
Many people who contract COVID-19 recover without any further medical problems. However, some survivors don’t recover completely and experience continuing or new physical and mental ailments. This has been called “long COVID” by many. The CDC lists many health issues that COVID-19 survivors may face.
If you have any signs of COVID-19 (cough, fever, shortness of breath), consider taking a home test to see if you have the virus.
This virus spreads the same way as the flu. Therefore, the best way to reduce your risk of infection is by being up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines, wearing masks when in contact with others in indoor spaces or packed outdoor spaces, and thorough and complete hand washing with soap and water. Hand sanitizers should be used when you’re not near a sink. Also, avoiding touching your face (including your eyes) when you are outside.
If you have any type of infection, including a respiratory virus like COVID-19, isolate yourself from others to prevent spreading the virus. Rest as much as you can and monitor your progress. If you get worse or show any signs of sepsis, go to your local emergency room or call 911.
Scientists all over the world began working on a vaccine for COVID-19 almost as soon as the virus was identified. Unlike other vaccine development, which is done in solitary labs over long periods, researchers collaborated with one another, sharing findings. This sped up what they knew about the virus and possible angles to use as a vaccine.
The U.S. now has these approved COVID-19 vaccines.
Celebrities, like Larry King and actor Nick Cordero developed sepsis from COVID-19. Learn about more celebrities who had sepsis here.
On December 10 2023, I started feeling a little short of breath and very tired and weak. Since I also have congestive heart failure, I was monitoring these symptoms closely. Things worsened over the next couple of days until the 12th on which date I realized I could barely breathe and so weak I could barely make it to the phone to call for an ambulance. I remember the firefighters lifting me on to a gurney and into the ambulance and them talking about my O2 level being 79 and that would prove to be the last coherent memory I ... Read Full Story
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My story, like many sepsis survivors’, didn’t end when the infection was treated. In a way, that was only the beginning. What happened to me unfolded over years, shaping my life in ways I never could have imagined, and leaving marks — physical and emotional — that I’m still learning to navigate. It began at the start of my junior year of high school, when I got COVID. I’d had it before, but this time something felt fundamentally wrong. My body wasn’t reacting the way it had in the past. I could barely eat or drink. Standing was impossible. Even ... Read Full Story
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I am a 74-year-old woman and in April 2023 I spent 10 days in ICU with septic shock, 10 days in isolation after contracting Covid and 14 weeks in hospital learning to walk again after losing the use of my arms and legs. (Sepsis and Covid-19) Daunting is an understatement coping with the after effects and I spent nearly two years attending consultant appointments, physio, blood tests and the significant medications and daily injections to alleviate symptoms of a following diagnosis of Adult Onset Stills Disease. I was so lucky not to have lost any limbs but suffered organ damage ... Read Full Story
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I went into a doc in the box in late November 2023 for strep throat. (Sepsis and Strep Throat) Within a week, I was being transported from that same doc in the box for extremely low blood pressure. Next thing I remember is waking up from a coma. I had COVID, septic shock, kidney failure, diaphragmatic spasms, and pneumonia. (Sepsis and Covid-19, Sepsis and Pneumonia) I was in the ICU for 35 days1 2 weeks in a coma. The nightmares I had while in my coma still haunt me. I’m terrified of anything that seems “off” with my health. Read Full Story
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After having a stroke in October, 2023, in February of 2024 I contracted Covid. I had all of my vaccinations, nonetheless I came down with the virus. (Sepsis and Covid-19) I didn’t immediately get over it. After five days, I was running a 103* fever and was in a cold sweat which was so severe, we had to change the bedclothes twice. My home health called to check on me and when I explained it, they told me to go to the ER. In my weakened condition, several opportunistic infections had begun to invade my body. I had UTI, kidney, ... Read Full Story
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When the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, began to spread, we didn’t know what to expect. It quickly became obvious that COVID-19 was a serious infection. It also turned out that severe COVID-19 is viral sepsis.
