Sepsis awareness
On this page patients, carers and families can find information to help understand sepsis and support networks available. There is also information on World Sepsis Day.
Patients, carers and families
NSW Health has developed a public facing sepsis awareness campaign to increase the community’s awareness of sepsis, its symptoms, and the need to seek medical help fast.
The call to action is for the public to feel comfortable in asking, "Could it be sepsis?"
Information on what sepsis is, signs to look for and getting medical help can be found on the NSW Health website.
Sepsis can affect people of all ages, from the very young to the old. The Australian Sepsis Network webpage Faces of Sepsis has gathered many of their stories.
The Sepsis Clinical Care Standard Guide for Consumers explains what the national standard means for patients and their families, and the health care they can expect to receive including after they leave hospital.
Support for survivors
While recovering from sepsis, some survivors encounter a range of medical, psychological, and emotional issues. Post Sepsis Syndrome (PSS) is the collection of physical problems that affect up to half of all people who survive sepsis. The syndrome can include any one or more of the following:
- Sleep disturbance including insomnia
- Nightmares, hallucinations, flashbacks and panic attacks
- Muscle and joint pains which can be severe and disabling
- Extreme tiredness and fatigue
- Inability to concentrate
- Impaired mental (cognitive) functioning
- Loss of confidence and self-belief.
The syndrome normally lasts between 6 and 18 months but can sometimes last longer.
The Australian Sepsis Network Life After Sepsis guide provides information and support to sepsis survivors, their friends, family, and carers, as well as bereaved families, as they navigate the very difficult post-sepsis phase.
There are a number of active consumer advocacy groups that can be contacted for advice and peer support based on lived experience.
Visit their webpages for further information and resources.
- Australia and NZ Sepsis Support Group
- Journeying through Sepsis - Children's Health Queensland
- Reaching for Korina (NSW)
- Sepsis Alliance
World Sepsis Day
World Sepsis Day is held annually on 13 September and is an initiative of the World Sepsis Day Organisation.
Information on World Sepsis Day 2024 will be posted here when available.
Further information
More resources for patients, carers and families can be found here.