Speaking To Patients

Speaking to patients and family members about sepsis is one of the most important things healthcare professionals can do. It can be difficult to find the right approach to discuss the immediate and long-term effects of the condition because sepsis is still not well known or understood.

Sepsis Alliance provides information and resources that can be used by any healthcare professional to help with patient education. Selected downloadable and printable resources can be found at the bottom of the page, with more found in the Resource Library. All downloads are free of charge. If you are looking for professional resources and training, please visit Sepsis Alliance Institute.

The resources found here may also be helpful for patients and family members who have not received such information when they were hospitalized or being discharged.

Website Resources

If you are looking for ways to speak with patients and family members about sepsis, here are some website resources that may help:

  • Sepsis Basics: This top menu bar section has links to information like What is Sepsis, Risk Factors, Symptoms, and more.
  • Related Conditions: The Sepsis and library addresses over 50 conditions and other circumstances that are somehow connected to sepsis.
  • FAQs: Sepsis Alliance has collected many of the most frequently asked questions about sepsis.
  • Caregivers: You may find it helpful to give the Caregiver Guide to the patient’s loved ones so they have a better idea of what is happening. Caregivers can also join Sepsis Alliance Connect to find support from others.
  • Children: Sepsis Alliance also has resources for children, both for those who have sepsis and for their siblings or other young relatives and friends. Bug, Sepsis Alliance’s friendly ladybug, helps young children understand infections and how to prevent them.
  • Post-sepsis syndrome: Many sepsis survivors are left with lasting effects from their illness, including chronic fatigue, depression, and symptoms of PTSD. Post-sepsis syndrome (PSS) is becoming more known in the medical community, but still too many healthcare providers don’t know about or understand the issues related to PSS.
  • Support for Survivors and Loved Ones: Sepsis Alliance Connect is a virtual support community designed for the millions of people personally affected by sepsis.
  • Multi-Language Resources: Sepsis Alliance has selected resources available in Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, and Vietnamese. The sepsis.org website can also be translated into multiple languages by clicking the accessibility menu icon that appears on the bottom right corner of every website page.

Updated February 10, 2025.

Downloadable and Printable Resources

When a Loved One Has Sepsis: A Caregiver’s Guide
Guide
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Sepsis Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet
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Sepsis Alliance Connect Printable Flyer
Infographic
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Tienes Sepsis. Ahora ¿Qué Sigue?
Information Guide
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Tienes Sepsis. Ahora ¿Qué Sigue?

  • To submit this form you are required to enter your first name, last name, a valid email address and your role.

You Have Sepsis. Now What? (for children)
Information Guide
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You Have Sepsis. Now What? (for children)

  • To submit this form you are required to enter your first name, last name, a valid email address and your role.

Life After Sepsis – Español
Information Guide
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Life After Sepsis – Español

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Life After Sepsis
Trifold
PreviewDigitalPrint

Life After Sepsis

My Guide to Sepsis and the Intensive Care Unit – Children
Information Guide
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My Guide to Sepsis and the Intensive Care Unit – Children

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After Discharge Checklist
Checklist
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Life After Sepsis
Information Guide
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Life After Sepsis

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Life After Sepsis
Video
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Life After Sepsis Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet
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For additional free downloadable and printable resources, visit the Sepsis Alliance Resource Library.

Sepsis Alliance Institute

Are you looking to connect with other healthcare professionals to see how they communicate with the public? Or you want to learn more about managing sepsis?

Elevate your sepsis care with education, resources, and peer-to-peer networking. Sepsis Alliance Institute provides online sepsis education including best practices in sepsis recognition, treatment, and care. There are training modules and webinars (live and recorded), many with free RN CE credits.

Faces of Sepsis

Rachel Goney

On 12/15/2021 I began my journey through sepsis. Let me go back about a week prior to that date I told my husband I felt like I was dying inside. I went to see my doctor on 12/9/2021. For pain in my lower back, shooting around to my left hip and down my leg. She listened to my lungs, took my vitals and diagnosed me with a slipped disc. No X-rays, no blood work, just prescribed pain meds and steroids. Well on the 15th I tried to get up and use the restroom. But when I tried to stand my ... Read Full Story

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Matt Kueber

I have a neurogenic bowel and bladder from a spinal cord injury in 2007. Since, I have had to catheterization myself every 4 hours. (Sepsis and Invasive Devices) I have no feeling or sensation so as a result, infection symptoms are hard to identify until its pretty bad. I have a fine line to balance because I can’t always treat every time my urine culture is colonized with bacteria because I can develop antibiotic resistancies. So I’m always at the mercy of my urologist on when to treat, which is very difficult for me. On 2 occasion now its been ... Read Full Story

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Betty Lott

It was six years ago in March 2018, at the age of 67, that I went into septic shock. (Sepsis and Septic Shock) I had been having multiple UTIs and going to the walk-in one time, my primary gynecologist, etc. So, I guess no one was really keeping track of the number of episodes. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) I was at at my granddaughters’ flag football game and was not feeling well. I thought maybe I had a kidney stone or infection but just did not feel well in general. I was in touch with a nurse friend and ... Read Full Story

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Alexa Spivey

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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Michael MN.

I am a man of s64 years of age now. Generally speaking I am well, was very lucky health wise, all throughout my life. Never had been an inpatient in the hospital. Enjoyed been physically active for years, trying out a variety of physical pursuits, from kick boxing, to weight training , swimming, running, all of which I enjoyed for the most part. Trying my best to live a healthy lifestyle, but not always succeeding. Looking to eat well, alcohol in moderation. At home, on some days off from work, I noticed a burning sensation when I urinated. Thinking nothing ... Read Full Story

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