Life after Sepsis

What are the first steps in recovery?

After you have had sepsis, rehabilitation usually starts in the hospital by slowly helping you to move around and look after yourself: bathing, sitting up, standing, walking, taking yourself to the restroom, etc.

The purpose of rehabilitation is to restore you back to your previous level of health or as close to it as possible. Begin your rehabilitation by building up your activities slowly, and rest when you are tired.

How will I feel when I get home?

You have been seriously ill, and your body and mind need time to get better. You may experience the following physical symptoms upon returning home:

General to extreme weakness and fatigue
Breathlessness
General body pains or aches
Difficulty moving around
Difficulty sleeping
Weight loss, lack of appetite, food not tasting normal
Dry and itchy skin that may peel
Brittle nails
Hair loss

It is also not unusual to experience the following once you’re home:

Feel unsure of yourself
Not care about your appearance
Want to be alone, avoiding friends and family
Have flashbacks, bad memories
Be confused about what is real and what isn’t
Feel anxious, more worried than usual
Experience poor concentration
Be depressed, angry, unmotivated
Feel frustration at not being able to do everyday tasks

What can I do to help myself recover at home?

Set small, achievable goals for yourself each week, such as taking a bath, dressing yourself, or walking up the stairs. Here are some things you can do:

Rest and rebuild your strength
Talk about what you are feeling with family and friends
Record your thoughts, struggles, and milestones in a journal
Learn about sepsis to understand what happened
Ask your family to fill in any gaps you may have in your memory about what happened to you
Eat a balanced diet
Exercise if you feel up to it
Make a list of questions to ask your doctor when you go for a check up

What’s normal and when should I be concerned?

Generally, the problems described in this fact sheet go away with time. They are a normal response to what you have been through.

Some hospitals have follow-up clinics or staff to help patients and families once they have been discharged. Find out if yours does or if there are local resources available to help you while you get better.

However, if you feel that you are not getting better, finding it difficult to cope, or continue to be exhausted call your doctor.

What are the long-term effects of sepsis?

Many people who survive sepsis recover completely and their lives return to normal. However, as with some other illnesses requiring intensive medical care, some patients have long-term effects. These problems may not become apparent for several weeks (post-sepsis), and may include such consequences as: