Sepsis Awareness Month:  My Battle with Sepsis

Sepsis Awareness Month:  My Battle with Sepsis

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an essay entitled “The Fight is On”. Many of you guessed it was about me, and you were right, it is about me and about my fight against sepsis. I still have some lingering issues from the battle, and I’ve been told it’s going to be some time before I’m back to normal. And there’s a chance that may never be the person I was.

Sepsis is serious and is the leading cause of death in hospitals. Because of my encounter with it, I think it’s important that you know more about sepsis. Until it happened to me, I knew almost nothing about sepsis or how dangerous it is.

September is Sepsis Awareness Month, and a great time to let you know more about sepsis, its symptoms, and how deadly serious it is. Trust me – I know.

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition arising from the body’s overwhelming response to an infection, is a silent and deadly threat. While it is a leading cause of death in hospitals, many people remain unaware of its symptoms and severity. In response, Sepsis Awareness Month, observed every September, stands as a critical public health initiative dedicated to educating the public, empowering healthcare professionals, and ultimately saving lives. This annual observance serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency required to combat a condition that claims millions of lives each year.

The first step in fighting sepsis is understanding what it is.

Sepsis is not an infection itself, but rather the body’s extreme, disproportionate reaction to one. When an infection—whether from a minor cut, pneumonia, or a urinary tract infection—goes unchecked, the body’s immune system can spiral into a hyperactive state. Instead of just fighting the invading pathogens, this uncontrolled response begins to damage the body’s own tissues and organs.

This cascade of events can lead to widespread inflammation, organ dysfunction, and, if not treated immediately, septic shock and death. Globally, sepsis accounts for an estimated 11 million deaths annually, making it a more significant killer than many well-known diseases. Raising awareness is the most effective weapon against this grim statistic, as early recognition and treatment dramatically increase the chances of survival.

The challenge with sepsis lies in its non-specific symptoms, which can easily be mistaken for other common illnesses like the flu. This is why a key focus of Sepsis Awareness Month is teaching people to “think sepsis.” The Sepsis Alliance has promoted a memorable acronym, TIME, to help people remember the most common signs: Temperature (higher or lower than normal), Infection (signs of an existing or recent infection), Mental Decline (confusion, sleepiness, or disorientation), and Extremely Ill (severe pain, discomfort, or shortness of breath). It is vital to seek immediate medical attention if a person with an infection begins to exhibit any of these symptoms and to ask medical staff, “Could it be sepsis?” The difference between life and death can be measured in minutes, as every hour of delayed treatment increases mortality rates.

While anyone with an infection can develop sepsis, certain populations are at a higher risk. This includes the very young, the elderly, individuals with weakened immune systems due to conditions like diabetes or cancer, and those who have recently been hospitalized or undergone surgery. Sepsis Awareness Month dedicates significant efforts to reaching these vulnerable communities and their caregivers. Campaigns highlight the importance of infection prevention, such as proper hand hygiene and vaccination, which can stop sepsis before it even begins.

Sepsis Awareness Month is more than just a public service announcement; it is a movement driven by organizations, healthcare systems, and survivors. Founded by the Sepsis Alliance in 2011, the month provides a platform for education, advocacy, and fundraising. Throughout September, a variety of activities take place, from local hospital seminars and community health fairs to large-scale national campaigns. The goal is to create a ripple effect of knowledge, ensuring that everyone—from emergency room doctors to school nurses and concerned parents—is equipped to recognize the signs and act swiftly. The month also honors the resilience of sepsis survivors and remembers those who have lost their lives to the condition, giving a human face to the statistics.

Sepsis Awareness Month is an annual observance that underscores the critical need for vigilance against a silent killer. By helping people understand what sepsis is, how to recognize its symptoms, and who is most at risk, we can dramatically improve outcomes.

The mission is simple yet profound: to transform public indifference into informed action. As we move forward, the message of Sepsis Awareness Month should resonate year-round and empower individuals to trust their instincts, get urgent care, and ultimately save lives.

Trust me, though I still have some lingering issues from sepsis, and I’ve not yet beaten it completely, I managed to survive sepsis and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. If you have any of the symptoms of sepsis, don’t ignore them like I did. See your doctor or go to the hospital right away. The life you save may be your own or someone you deeply care about.