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World sepsis day 2026

Writer: Lily P
Lily P
Sep 13
2 min read

What is World Sepsis Day?

World Sepsis Day is led by the Global Sepsis Alliance to raise awareness about sepsis and the long-term effects sepsis can have. As 1 in 5 deaths are associated with sepsis and in the UK five people every hour die from sepsis it is vital to raise awareness about sepsis so that doctors have a better chance at treating it. Those who survive from sepsis can have severe long term effects from it which can impede on their ability to job and keep relationships. 


Red and black awareness ribbon with World Sepsis Day text and September 13 on a white background.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can arise when your body fights an infection and also ends up fighting your organs and tissues which damages them. This happens because your immune system goes into overdrive and thinks your organs are a pathogen, a pathogen is a biological organism which causes an infection such as a virus or bacterium. 



Global Sepsis Alliance logo with a blue-to-pink globe icon beside black text on a white background.

How to spot sepsis?


Slurred speech or confusion

Extreme shivering or muscle pain

Passing no urine all day

Severe breathlessness

It feels like you’re going to die

Skin mottled or discoloured


Things you can do to support and raise awareness about sepsis:

  • Spend 5-10 minutes getting Sepsis Savvy on the UK Sepsis Trust website.

  • Use social media to spread awareness about sepsis.

  • Do your own research using the UK Sepsis Trust and the Global Sepsis Alliance.

  • Do an activity to raise money for the UK Sepsis Trust, which can be anything from running to knitting to baking.

  • Get involved on World Sepsis Day 

     

Some ways to support someone recovering from sepsis:

  • Keep in contact with them over text, phone, or see them in person.

  • Try not to overwhelm them with worry as they may be feeling sad, guilty, vulnerable and much more.

  • If you are able to, then send them some goodies to brighten their day, such as a bath bomb, books, as it can take a while for them to recover.


Recovering from sepsis 

Recovering from sepsis can take months as you have suffered from a serious illness. Around 40% of people recovering from sepsis experience physical, cognitive, and psychological symptoms. For most people, these symptoms can last a few months, but if they continue, it can develop into Post Sepsis Syndrome.1


White poster with text: September | World Sepsis Day 13, 2026, in black and pink beside a vertical black line.

Symptoms of Post Sepsis Syndrome


  1. Physical symptoms:

    • Fatigue

    • Repeated infections

    • Headaches

    • Struggling in bright or noisy environments


  2. Cognitive symptoms:

    • Difficulty with short term memory

    • Problems with speech and finding the right words

    • Struggling to perform tasks you previously found easy

    • Difficulty with concentration


  3. Psychological symptoms:

    • Low mood and mood swings

    • Not feeling interested in old hobbies

    • Feeling guilty

    • Feeling isolated and that no one understands

    • Strain on your relationships


Websites to explore if you are needing more help or wanting to broaden your learning:


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