How will I feel when I get home?
You may experience these symptoms while you recover from this serious illness:
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General to extreme weakness and fatigue
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Breathlessness
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General body pains or aches
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Difficulty moving around or sleeping
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Weight loss, lack of appetite, food not tasting normal
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Dry and itchy skin that may peel
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Brittle nails or hair loss
It is also normal to have the following feelings:
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Unsure of yourself
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Not caring about your appearance
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Wanting to be alone, avoiding friends and family
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Flashbacks, bad memories
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Confusing reality (for example: not sure what is real and what isn't)
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Feeling anxious, more worried than usual
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Poor concentration
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Depressed, angry, unmotivated
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Frustration at not being able to do daily tasks
What can I do to help myself recover at home?
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Set small, achievable goals, such as taking a bath, dressing yourself, or walking up stairs
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Rest and rebuild your strength
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Talk to family and friends about what you are feeling
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Record your thoughts, struggles and milestones in a journal
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eat a balanced diet
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Exercise when you feel up to it
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Make a list of questions to ask your doctor when you go for a check-up
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Are there long-term effects of sepsis?
Many people recover completely, and their lives return to normal. However, some patients have long-term effects such as:
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Weakened immune system (difficulty fighting infections)
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difficulty getting to or staying asleep
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Nightmares, hallucinations, panic attacks
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Disabling muscle and joint pains
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Decreased mental (cognitive) functioning
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Loss of self-esteem and self-belief
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Organ dysfunction (for example: kidney failure, respiratory problems)
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Amputations (loss of limbs)
When should I be concerned?
Call your doctor if you feel that you are not getting better, finding it difficult to cope, or continue to be exhausted.
Sepsis resources
Information in this guide provided in part by Sepsis Alliance. For more information about sepsis, visit:
Sepsis Alliance www.sepsis.org
MedlinePlus www.nlm.nih.gov
WebMD www.webmd.com
CDC www.cdc.gov
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