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

Susan H.

Survivor

The Day I went missing. November 24, 2020 was the last day before Thanksgiving Break from high school. I am a 62 yr. old female, entering my 18th year of teaching special education. I had a history of diverticulosis, my father died when I was 18 of colon cancer. I was consistent with preventive colon care, but had been hospitalized for a night for diverticulitis in 2019. After the infection had cleared, a colonoscopy revealed severe diverticulosis, and gastro doctor advised 11 inches be taken out. My husband and I both met with him and got a second opinion, and ... 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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Haley Vazquez

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

Hello! My name is Haley and I am a proud survivor of septic shock. In January of 2019, I had fallen ill. My temperature reached 102.4. As the week progressed, I began to lose feeling in my left leg. Whilst my body was slowly shutting down, My mom and I took a trip to a pediatric clinic where my muddy urine was mistaken for dehydration. A few doctor’s visits and one blood test later, it was clear I needed to head to the ER immediately. After those long hours in the ER, my memory is blank. February of 2019, I ... Read Full Story

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Kimberley Sidhu

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

In May 2024, I gave birth while unknowingly battling invasive group A strep (Sepsis and Group A Streptococcus) —a life-threatening infection that went undiagnosed. The signs of maternal sepsis (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) were there, but they were dismissed, and my husband and I were never taught what to watch for. I was lucky enough to get to the hospital to be seen and I was placed in ICU and needed emergency life saving surgery. I was in critical condition, fighting for my life.  It was only after surgery, I began to realize my condition was severe, and there was a lack of awareness ... Read Full Story

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Thomas Wood

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

In November of 2021 I called into work after feeling the chills and abnormally exhausted. I ignored the symptoms for a day and told everyone I would go to the immediate care right away. I did not do that. I went a day later when my employer noticed I was confused and not making much sense. I was walked to the immediate care next door by my boss. I remember the the waiting room of the immediate care and then waking up in the ICU about 3 weeks later. During that time I was in a coma, living what felt ... Read Full Story

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