Can You Spot Sepsis?

Compiled by the bioMérieux Connection Editors using information from Global Sepsis Alliance & WHO

According to the Global Sepsis Alliance, sepsis doesn’t always look the same for everyone, especially when symptoms first show up. Knowing the signs of potential sepsis and when to contact a local physician or hospital could save your life or someone you love.

Using information from the Global Sepsis Alliance’s worldsepsisday.org, we’ve put together a simple flyer that lists symptoms which could indicate sepsis for four different groups: adults, new moms, kids under age five, and newborns. Share this flyer with your friends and family—help fight the number one preventable cause of death worldwide.

Download the Flyer to Read the Symptoms

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a condition that happens when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Sepsis can lead to organ failure and death, particularly when the condition is not recognized early. That’s why it’s so important to be able to spot symptoms of potential sepsis and contact your doctor or hospital right away if you notice any of the signs.

Who Gets Sepsis?

Anyone can get sepsis, but some people are more likely to get sepsis than others, such as elderly people, young children, and people with compromised immune systems. Worldwide:

September is Sepsis Awareness Month!

Every September, people and organizations around the country observe Sepsis Awareness Month, and on September 13, World Sepsis Day. Both are opportunities for us to show support and solidarity with survivors, their families, and those who have lost loved ones to sepsis. bioMérieux is committed to the fight against sepsis and sponsors a variety of events each year. This year, bioMérieux is a proud Gold Sponsor of the 2nd World Sepsis Congress, as well as Sepsis Alliance’s Sepsis Challenge™ events.


Opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of bioMérieux, Inc.

16 Replies to “Can You Spot Sepsis?”

  1. We founded it interesting that organizations set to help people with sepsis in September. I didn’t know what this disease was until I found your post. It makes sense because we have noticed a few flyers that were mentioning about this service. My wife and I will consider this helpful info you provided for whenever we need it.

  2. July 2017 woke freezing cold. My son came by at 10AM found me very sick. He drove me to Hospital and taken immediately to ER. Had 103 temp. I had no idea I had
    UTI. No symptoms. Blood work showed Sepsis. Treatment started quickly and after 8 days in hospital (no ICU needed) I was discharged. In 2007 following extensive colon resection I had MERSA. Had 3 bouts of it in 18 months.
    By the way I am now 86 years old.

  3. A dear young married friend of our family died from going septic after the birth of her 3rd child  She was a nurse too but just thought it was a UTI or the flu.  She called the squad at 6 am, had passed away by noon .  She left her husband with 2 young toddlers and now a 3 week old, she was her parents only child.  We all lost a beautiful vital “otherwise healthy” 27 year old to this tragic illness.  I will never forget her.  Rest In sweet peace , little Kathy

  4. I got sepsis from having a urinary tract infection .I was in the hospital for a month and do not remember 2weeks i lost them.very scary stuff .

  5. I almost died from sepsis in 2015. I had great cancer in Feb 2015. In Sept. I scratched a bug bite while I was in the hot tub. The bacteria apparently entered there and settled where my cancer surgery had been done. My only symptom was I threw up over and over all night long and started to basically check out. My husband luckily called 911. I am so thankful for the fireman who quickly and accurately diagnosed sepsis. He told the ER. I was in a coma for 3 or 4 days and stayed in ICU for 8 days. They pumped me with massive doses of antibiotics. It took about 3 months for me to gain my strength back. Scariest thing that ever happened to me. And then Patty Duke died of sepsis. I was lucky.

  6. I went Septic two years ago when I had a stint inserted for a kidney stone I couldn’t pass.I was in hospital 4 weeks then transferred to therapy clinic for another 4 weeks for agressive therapyI literally had to learn to walk all over again. Home therapy continued for several months ! I still don’t feel great and I wonder if I’ll feel like myself afain. I had never heard about Septis until I almost died !

  7. I have suffered with a sinus infection for literally years! Went to an END and l had mersa! So I was On IV anti- booties for thirty days before having sugery. Yes, he said I had a cyst and bone blocking drainage of sinus ever eyebrow. Went through that to be told later , surgery wasn’t a sucess! Another thirty days same treatment, different bacteria this time and another surgery. I am sick of being sick and now one told I have RA and Lupus!

  8. I am Septic Shock survivor from August , 2013.  The last , almost six years of my life have been a fight to stay alive.  

  9. I nearly died from sepsis from a botched gall bladder surgery. Developed pancreatitis, and liver failure. All the while being followed by a gastroenterologist. An alert ER doctor dx me with septic shock and sent me to Charlotte via helicopter to Carolina Medical Center who saved my life. At that point I had had jaundice for 4 months, swollen and lost nearly 100 lbs.
    I tried to sue but lawyer said the doctors were treating my symptoms as presented to them.

  10. My daughter is type 1 diabetic diagnosis. With sepsis from pacemaker getting infected pacemaker was removed.with antibiotics will she survive

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