Patients & Family

Sepsis Alliance provides information and resources to help you better understand your or your loved one’s sepsis diagnosis.

Diagnosed with Sepsis

For anyone recently diagnosed with sepsis, this is the place to start.

Sepsis Basics

Sepsis Survivors

Some sepsis survivors recover completely and resume their lives, while others may struggle to cope with enduring effects of their illness. Here you can find information to help you navigate post-sepsis life.

Survivor Resources

Caregivers

When your loved one becomes ill with sepsis, you may not know what sepsis is or how to help them. Here are resources that may help you navigate this complex and difficult journey.

Caregiver Resources

Lost Loved Ones

Losing a loved one to sepsis can leave you with grief as well as many questions. Here are answers to some of the questions you may have after losing a loved one to sepsis.

Resources for Loved Ones

Sepsis Alliance Connect

Sepsis Alliance Connect is the virtual support community for anyone affected by sepsis.

Sepsis Alliance Connect

Faces of Sepsis

Amy Kennedy

Survivor

I became ill with a cold and flu-like symptoms. After several visits to my PCP and the ER, I was still ill. Long story short, I ended up in ICU for 3 months due to septic shock. I came very close to passing away three times. It is literally a miracle that I am alive today. I had to learn to do everything all over again. My life has forever changed from my illness. It’s been a tremendous amount of hard work to recover. People cannot possibly understand what a person goes through unless you are right there with them. ... Read Full Story

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Alexa Spivey

Survivor, Survivor

I woke up on November 25, 2023 with a fever of 104° and severe stomach virus symptoms. My family was busy getting ready for my niece’s 1st birthday party, so they weren’t able to give me the full attention I needed. After trying to sleep it off for 4 hours, my symptoms worsened, and I was scared something really bad was going to happen. At this point, my boyfriend stopped helping with the party and drove me to the ER. Once I arrived, they gave me an IV, and ran tons of tests. I originally must’ve had a severe case ... Read Full Story

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Malaysia Harrell

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

My name is Malaysia Harrell. I’m a veteran, clinical psychotherapist, transformation coach, and a woman who has fought her way back from the edge, more than once. In 2020, I had just returned from a life-altering military deployment. I was tired, yes, but I was motivated, ready to pour myself back into work, service, and purpose. But almost immediately, something felt wrong. My body was speaking to me in ways I’d never experienced: migraines, body aches, crushing fatigue, and a strange, escalating pain that radiated through my left hip. I knew my body, and I knew this wasn’t stress. It ... Read Full Story

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Jennifer Fitch

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

I went in for a routine endometrial ablation, expecting about a week of downtime before getting back to my normal life. But three days after the procedure, I started feeling what I thought was the flu. My temperature spiked to 103.6°F, and I couldn’t keep anything down. Concerned, I called my doctor’s office, and they advised me to go to the ER to rule out any infection from the procedure. (Sepsis and Surgery) That Sunday, I arrived at the ER, completely unaware of what the next week had in store for me. I was soon transported to the hospital where ... Read Full Story

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Alyvia C.

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

Towards the beginning if this year, I came down with what was believed to be strep. My illness consisted of swollen lymph nodes, tonsils, and a sore throat. I was in bed for days. I began feeling better after I went to an urgent care in my town and started on antibiotics. Stupidly, I didn’t finish my round of antibiotics because I began to feel better. (Sepsis and Strep Throat) About a week later, I started experiencing extreme pain in my left lung. Thinking it was muscle spasms, I ignored it. After suffering from the pain for a week, I ... Read Full Story

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