I was in hospital for 17 days last month because of sepsis and bacteremia caused by MRSA. I was given very high dosages of blood thinners during this time, via injections in my stomach. Apparently because of septic blood clots and pulmonary embolisms that showed up on CT scans and x-rays. Is this common during sepsis? I’m currently recovering at home but I need to stay on blood thinners (Eliquis / apixaban) until December, when I have another thorax CT scan and an appointment with a pulmonologist.

Hi all, for some backstory I had sepsis last year caused by a breast abscess. Fast forward to yesterday, my breast started hurting again even worse than last time, and early this morning I saw red streaks on my skin. I decided to go to the ER.

At triage I had an elevated heart rate and slight fever. Blood work showed lactate 2.6 and WBC 14.7. This was much less severe than last time. Ultrasound actually did not find an abscess, but I do have an infection. They diagnosed me with cellulitis and said there would be no need for draining an abscess this time. I got IV fluids, Toradol, and Rocephin. After a repeat lactate test it was in normal range.

I got discharged in late afternoon with a prescription for keflex, referral to breast surgery, and instructions to come back if I get signs of sepsis.

I feel exhausted right now, but I don't have a fever. Does this treatment sound appropriate? They told me I can stay for observation and fluids, but they didn't think more IV antibiotics would be necessary. Last time I did a week in the hospital for full blown sepsis, so I was relieved I caught it early enough this time that it didn't progress to that point. I have an appointment with my PCP next week.

I believe I'm developing a breast abscess. It feels the same as it did a year ago when I had the abscess that led to sepsis. I don't have systemic symptoms, so I'm planning on going to the doctor tomorrow, preferably my breast surgeon. I feel so discouraged and scared. This is my third breast abscess, I've been through the whole thing before and I am tired. Please send good thoughts. Currently no fever, heart rate normal, no chills, just the pain worsening inside my breast.

Was wondering what some symptoms were if sepsis ? I’ve had a possible pelvic infection and since I’ve had tingling and numbness in legs . I have from time to time experience chills

Hello everyone, sorry for this long post.

I have a question regarding sepsis from pneumonia. So, my husband (38 yrs old) passed away on 7/30/26 and had been battling a very deep cough since the first week of June this year. I arrived in England to visit him, (too long to explain) on 7/2 and stayed until 7/28. While I was there, he had a really curdling deep cough. I told him several times to please get checked out. We went on a getaway from his hometown to London, from 7/10 to 7/18. He said if he still felt unwell, he’d go to urgent care. Sure enough, he was still coughing horribly and ended up going to urgent care. The doctor didn’t even take an X-ray, he just prescribed him 7 days of Amoxicillin. Then told him if it gets worse, to come back and get seen. On 7/25, he had some difficulty urinating and felt like he had to go and couldn’t. He said he felt a pinchy feeling, like a UTI, but didn’t have one. The next morning he was able to urinate, but not sure how much. He sometimes had a tendency to not speak up, as he didn’t like waiting at the ER or urgent care. Fast forward to 7/28, I flew back to America and he flew back to his hometown from London. We spoke as normal for the next few days until around 11pm his time on 7/29. However, around 3pm ish his time, I noticed that he was making a lot of grammatical errors and typos. That’s not like him at all and at one point I thought he was drinking. I told him to get some rest and we’ll talk in the morning. The next morning I called him and got no answer. I called and called and called all day and still nothing. I got a call the next day, from my brother in law’s gf and her dad. They told me he had passed away. I’ve been googling non stop and asking every question possible, that is relevant to sepsis and pneumonia. I can’t help but feel guilty, knowing that I potentially missed the first sign (difficulty urinating) and then thinking he was drunk. I can’t seem to figure out if I missed the signs.

How do you trust your body after sepsis? I’m in therapy, but it doesn’t feel like enough. I’m also medicated.

My whole body hurts so bad after having sepsis and the bottoms of my feet to where I can barely walk. Is this something that has occured after me having sepsis? I had it a few months ago I got a blood infection and got sepsis and now I feel bad.

My mom (59) was rushed to the hospital yesterday and they found out she has a bowel perforation and was in septic shock. She had emergency surgery done but was left open for now since the inflammation was so bad, they said we have to see how she does for 24-48 hours. I talked to her this morning while she was awake, she opened her eyes and was nodding when I talked to her, she was trying to talk to me as well but of course she couldn’t. I don’t really know why I’m writing this, I don’t know what will happen, they said she’s been responding to treatment well so far. I’m really afraid and the waiting is complete hell. Is there anything I should know or should be asking the nurses?

Has anyone seen an immunologist and had any success with immunotherapies for post sepsis syndrome or immunosuppression?

I had rapid onset sepsis from group A strep 14 months ago, postpartum. Thanks to a 5 hour delay in implementing the sepsis protocol at the hospital, I am told I was on the verge of toxic shock (but luckily avoided it). I was in hospital for 8 days of IV antibiotics and electrolytes. I had protein in urine, sky high LFTs, CRP was 300, so even though I was lucky to escape with my life and limbs, I went through a significant immune event.

14 months later, I'm just sick all the time. I do have young kids who bring home illnesses but I just get sick for sooo long. Eg I had a gastro, everyone else in my family recovered in 24 hours or less. I was ill and couldn't eat for a week, and ended up in hospital with dehydration from the severity of it. I then caught HMPV which developed into a nasty secondary sinus infection, finally got on top of it with abx, only to catch rhinovirus and be so ill with it, far worse than when I've had covid in the past. Again, turned into a secondary infection, and needed 2 x courses and types of abx to get on top of that. I've had a post viral cough for 3 months now and still have lots of green sputum.

Most doctors have just dismissed when I've asked about sepsis impact but I'm seeing a new one tomorrow and I intended to ask for a referral to an immunologist. I know this is not normal for me. Keen to know if anyone has had any success with immune therapies? Thanks

hey everyone I'm really at a loss for now, my 60 year old Father who just healed from Tuberculosis is in septic shock now. He underwent dialysis for 4 hours last night and has high sugar due to diabetes. The infection came from his foot wound. He is in Norepinephrine and dopamine to increase his blood pressure and still needs it to be stable so he could get operated on his foot amputation. I am so sad and stressed right now.

So when I was 12 I had pneumonia and it turned into sepsis . Now I’m 22 and noticed that after I do anything like hang out with my friends or pick up groceries or finished going to school . I’m so tired I napped for like 2 hours . And it’s been like that since I was 12 years old ? Like every day .

My grandfather recently passed away after what started as a knee injury and surgery, and I'm struggling to understand how everything went so wrong. I'm hoping people with medical experience or personal experience with sepsis can help me understand what might have happened.

He was 82 years old, diabetic, and had a history of a heart attack followed by bypass surgery about 17 years ago. He was living in Kolkata, India, and received treatment at what we considered one of the best hospitals there.

Here is the sequence of events as I understand it:

1. Knee injury and surgery: He fell and injured/fractured his knee, requiring surgery. Following the surgery, he developed complications, including significant diarrhea and hyponatremia (low sodium), apparently associated with the diarrhea.
2. Initial recovery: He was treated and eventually discharged. He seemed to be recovering, which made us think he was getting better.
3. Leg inflammation returned: After discharge, his leg became inflamed again. We took him to a doctor, but they changed some of his medications rather than recommending anything more extensive or immediately sending him back to the hospital.
4. Sudden deterioration: The following day, he became extremely weak and delirious. We took him back to the hospital. His condition deteriorated, and we were told he had developed sepsis, apparently associated with an infection related to his knee surgery.
5. Organ failure: His blood pressure and oxygen levels became very low, and his kidneys began failing. He was put on dialysis and eventually required ventilation.
6. Cardiac arrests: While receiving treatment, he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was resuscitated, but approximately 10 minutes later, he suffered a second cardiac arrest and passed away.

I'm devastated because he went in for a knee injury, and within a relatively short period, he was gone. I'm also struggling to understand how this could happen at a very good hospital, particularly when we sought medical attention as soon as we noticed his leg becoming inflamed again.

I have several questions:

• How can an infection following knee surgery progress to sepsis, even in a good hospital? Could it have originated in the surgical wound or around the knee, and how would it spread or trigger such a severe response?

I understand that nobody can determine exactly what happened without his medical records, and I'm not trying to accuse the hospital of malpractice based on incomplete information. I genuinely want to understand the medical mechanisms behind his death and whether this kind of progression can happen despite appropriate care.

If anyone has experienced something similar with a family member, or if any doctors, nurses, or sepsis survivors can explain what might have happened, I would be very grateful.

Thank you.

Hi on saturday I had to take my boyfriend to the er from an infection which turned to sepsis they had kept him admitted overnight and the next day released him. They had giving him so many ivs of antibiotics. Yesterday and today hes been feeling not well and has spiked a fever a few times highest so far is 102.5 hes on antibiotics they send him home with but he really doesnt feel much better. Well his throat doesnt hurt like it had before but hes been having heart pain, fever and body pain. we arent sure if its normal after or if hes still fighting the infection. Im worried he needs to go back to the er.

update:
taking him to er hes got 104 fever and heart rate at 125

Hi Everyone,

I am a 34 year old male. At the end of April I had pneumothorax (right lung collapse) and pneumonia. That ended up causing sepsis. I was in the hospital for four days and was ran IV antibiotics. Five months later I’m feeling extreme fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia. It doesn’t matter how much rest I get some days I just can’t get out of bed until the afternoon or evening. I’ve been following up with my PMD since discharge. My bloodwork is normal outside of my B12 being near low in which I started B12 supplements the beginning of August. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms post sepsis? I’m following up with my doctor this week and will explain everything.

I’m not one for posting on social media so please bear with me. I’m 34 years old and am recovering from a septic staph infection (non resistant). Was in my blood and majorly impacted my leg (couldn’t walk). I had minor surgery in my hip joints to wash out some of the infection that settled in there. IV antibiotics 3x a day for a month. I am back home now, able to “walk” again, barely any pain in my leg anymore (it’s all in my back now), and have two weeks left of antibiotics.

I am hoping to hear from people who have had similar reactions and if so what you did to help with recovery.

1. My walking is slowly improving every day, but I am slow and my legs feel so incredibly weak. They even shake. At times I thought they’d give out. The worst part is that after a few steps I am fuckin winded - I sound like I just climbed a mountain! I never had this kind of respiratory issue before and I don’t know if this is normal for others. When I try to walk I have such a hard time catching my breath, like gasping for air. Prior to surgery, I had a very scary incident (walked too far) and it took me a very long time to get my breath back.
2. My back hurts the most right now. I’ve had chronic back issues prior to this with pain, but wow right now the pain is a lot. I am trying to tell myself it’s a combination of the infection, laying in bed for weeks, and not exercising. I know my back also had a ton of strain on it from this whole thing. I worry my back won’t get back to its normal level of pain.
3. My stomach doesn’t feel good. Rather, my whole body doesn’t feel “good”. I am nauseous and sometimes dizzy. I eat when I’m hungry but I don’t feel well afterwards. I can’t drink more than a cup of coffee (which is so sad). My stomach is achy and tight. In addition, my whole body just feels blah. I know it’s been through a lot, but I want to start feeling healthy again. Maybe I am being impatient? Being too hard on myself? I try to eat well and in small portions, I drink lots of water, but I don’t feel “good” (I don’t know how else to describe it!). What did you eat or do to help with this? I am starting to wonder if taking vitamins or probiotics is something I should consider (and that is very unlike me lol). Am I expecting too much with where I’m at? For reference, this all started Sept 7.

I would appreciate anything from others in my position or who have been in my position. Thank you so much!

My dad(58) suffering for what feels like Neverending sepsis. For context he is on hemodialysis for the past 1 year. In that same time he caught pneumonia and since then he is going through sepsis every 3 months. Worst part is , doctor are unable to find its origin. All culture reports are negative and no screening able to find any abnormalities. He is getting diagnose Only on the basis of crp and procalcitonin(last hospitalization the levels are 221 and 17 respectively).

Is anyone here suffering from repeated episode or other kind of infection and is their a way to decrease it's frequency.

Anything from the dread and how you handled it, to the timeline of physical symptoms, or whether you urinated normally one time around but not the other, whether you could keep fluids down one time around but not the other… whether it took longer to develop into shock?

He never tells us when he needs to have a bowel movement, and then he ends up passing stool in diapers.

I’m wondering how many of you had hearing loss, mild moderate or severe, after sepsis? I’m 41 and went septic May 2026, and my hearing is awful. I am seeing the ent and neurologist for vertigo; neurologist thinks I have Ménière’s disease possibly qnd put me on betahistine.

The complicating factor is I was on vancomycin every 6 hours to deal with sepsis (along with piperacillin tazobactam and other drugs) and I know a side effect is hearing loss- so I am wondering if that contributing. Just don’t want to feel so alone- I will be getting hearing aids in the next month or so to help. I’m tired of saying what and mishearing people.

Hi. I’ve had sepsis twice before (didn’t even know having it once seemingly makes you ‘prone’) and genuinely didn’t have a clue both times. First time it came from my c-section wound and I spent several days in hospital, kidneys started failing, nearly moved to ICU etc etc. I was walking around that hospital through it all, no problem. Second time was Christmas last year, I didn’t even realise I had a kidney infection, I just noticed that I wasn’t getting ‘I need to wee’ signals, went to the doctors, came out of hospital over a week later.
I don’t raise a temperature in the normal way because I have an autoimmune condition that affects that mechanism just fyi.
I have had a cold for like three weeks. It eventually went to my chest about six days ago and I’ve been pretty wiped out and coughing badly and crackling when breathing a little bit. Not my first rodeo with chest infections. Then it was seemingly giving me tonsillitis symptoms two days ago so I went to the pharmacy and they had a look, and said my tonsils were extremely swollen but no white spots yet. I was also noticing some atypical UTI symptoms again, did an at-home test and it seemed to be negative. Then last night I went to a concert and had to leave within ten mins because of the most intense upper abdominal pain. Only just got home on time before the nausea and extreme diarrhoea kicked in and that’s been going on all night. I am pretty cold and struggling to properly warm up but temperature appears to be normal regardless. The stomach pain is now intermittent and not as bad as last night but it’s still perceptible and the diarrhoea has stopped presumably because there is nothing left in me.
I’ve rang the NHS out of hours service to get an appointment for somebody to listen to my chest at least (as it is Saturday) because this all hitting me simultaneously seems a bit weird to me? Chest is still crackling but my oxygen levels are fine, just feel pretty rough and run-down. They have said they will call back within 10 hours.
Could this be sepsis round 3? The thing that is making my spidey senses tingle is how cold I feel and the fact that I am starting to ache now as well. Bear in mind I’m a single mum so being run-down is kinda my go-to state of being.

I wanted to understand what level of recovery we should ideally expect after one year following a stroke, especially since he also had sepsis during his recovery.

My main goal is for my dad to eventually be able to sit up on his own without assistance. He tries to sit up, but he gets stuck when he needs to push himself up, particularly from the right side/shoulder. Even when he tries to use the other side, he has to put in a lot of effort and still cannot get himself up independently. He has some extra weight in his upper body, which may also make it more difficult for him. At this point, he spends almost all of his time lying in bed.

Another major concern is his swallowing. He still has difficulty swallowing liquids, even after almost a year.

The most important issue for us, however, is his awareness and communication regarding his bladder and bowel needs. Earlier, the doctor had mentioned that he had a neurogenic bladder. It has now been almost a year, but he still usually does not tell us when he needs to urinate or have a bowel movement. Occasionally, he tells us, but most of the time he does not.

Sometimes we can actually see that he appears to be straining or seems to be trying to have a bowel movement. However, when we ask him whether he has had a bowel movement or needs to use the toilet, he may say no. Very rarely, he does tell us that he needs to use the toilet or that he has had a bowel movement.

Because of this, we are concerned about whether he is able to recognize the sensation of needing to urinate or have a bowel movement, whether he understands what that sensation means, and whether he is able to communicate it to us.

At this stage, after one year, how much further recovery can we realistically expect? Is it still possible for him to make significant progress with sitting independently, mobility, swallowing, and bladder/bowel awareness and communication? If so, what kind of timeline should we expect, and what type of rehabilitation or therapy would be most helpful for these specific issues?

Hi everyone!

I am 32 I had a blood infection due to tonsil infection. 3 weeks IV antibiotics then 28 days oral antibiotics due to a reoccurring UTI. During this time period I began getting hives and suddenly started getting allergic reactions to foods, from one week to another.

Has anyone experienced this before?