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.

Mark Roberts

Survivor

My experience started Christmas day 2022. felt like I had a virus, giddy, achy, fast pulse and stomach pain/bloating. Managed few mouthfuls of dinner, went to accident and emergency and waited 13hrs. Despite obs several times, nothing was picked up. Went home early hours Boxing Day, started vomiting bile. Apparently I was grey in colour, managed to get back to hospital and got seen very quickly. They diagnosed after tests that I had bowel blockage and sepsis. Had emergency surgery on Boxing Day night. I remember not till coming around 4 days later. I had apparently been in induced coma, ... Read Full Story

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M. Lee Fleming

Survivor, Survivor

Hi, My name is Lee and I’m a dog attack victim and a sepsis and septic shock survivor. I’m also a “DIC” and dry gangrene survivor. I have trouble comprehending why I am so blessed! (Sepsis and Animal Bites, Sepsis and Septic Shock, Sepsis and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) My story began on Christmas Day, 2021 on a normal, daily walk with my wife and my two dogs through our neighborhood park. It was a beautiful, exceptionally warm Christmas in North Carolina when we left the house around 4:00pm. We strolled down through the park toward the water and as ... Read Full Story

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Promise Selepe

Survivor, Survivor, Tribute

Blessing was only 6 months when she started being sick. She was irritated and crying nonstop. We went to a general practitioner and she said she was teething. We went home later that night. When I was changing her diaper, I noticed her right leg was swollen I thought it’s nothing serious. I thought it was swollen because of the measles vaccine she got. The following day I noticed she was getting worse so we decided to take her to the local clinic where they sent us to the local hospital. When we got the hospital, while waiting to the ... Read Full Story

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Eugene Johnson

Survivor, Survivor, Tribute, 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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Tammi Davis

Survivor, Survivor, Tribute, Survivor, Survivor

My mother entered the ER in March of 2017 for lower back and chills. Once she got there things changed quickly. She developed a fever and could no longer produce urine and was in incredible pain . She was diagnosed with kidney stones and the doctors suggested for her to go home and to just try pass the stones on her own. (Sepsis and Kidney Stones) My mom felt something was not right and insisted on staying at least over night for observation. The doctor agreed. When my mother got admitted onto the hospital floor, things took a turn for the ... Read Full Story

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Upcoming Events

Sepsis Alliance Voices Advocacy Training: Making an Appropriations Request

March 19, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 Time: 2:00 – 2:30 pm ET/11:00 – 11:30 am PT Description:  Congress is currently deciding what projects and initiatives will receive federal funding for the …

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Webinar: Safeguarding Students Part 2 – Raising Awareness of Sepsis in Schools and Integrating Post-Sepsis Support

March 21, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024 Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET/11:00 – 12:00 pm PT Description:  Sepsis affects more than 50 million people worldwide each year, and almost half are …

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Sponsored Webinar: Improving SEP-1 Fluid Resuscitation Compliance Through Nurse-Driven Protocols

March 27, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Date: March 27, 2024 Time: 2:00 – 2:30 pm ET / 11:00 am – 11:30 am PT Description:  In this sponsored webinar, Morgan Swearingin, MSN-Ed, RN, CCRN, will discuss the …

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Sepsis News

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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Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March 1, 2024

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Learn more about sepsis and developmental disabilities by clicking the link below.

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World Cancer Day

February 4, 2024

February 4 is World Cancer Day. Learn more about sepsis and cancer by clicking the link below.

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