Stephanie Lambert

On July 14, 2024, I stepped on a cat’s foot or tail and it bit me. Little did I know that despite seeking medical care and receiving my first antibiotic doses within 36 hours of the bite, that I would end up admitted to the hospital with secondary cellulitis and sepsis by the fifth day following the bite. (Sepsis and Animal Bites, Sepsis and Cellulitis)

I was very fortunate that I made it to the hospital before I reached the point of having septic shock. Because the specific bacteria (Strep type A) was not identified until the third day of my hospitalization, I will be dealing with ongoing healing of a bad wound for the foreseeable future, and I will be back in the hospital tomorrow for a debridement procedure.  (Sepsis and Streptococcus B) As a healthy adult who happens to work in healthcare as a project manager, I never expected to experience something like this. I hope my story helps to bring better public awareness about the symptoms and severity of sepsis and the need to seek immediate treatment.