Sepsis Awareness Hits Record High But Understanding Remains Gap
News related to:Sepsis Alliance · 3 min read
Awareness of the term "sepsis" among U.S. adults has reached an all-time high, with 78% of Americans now familiar with the term, according to a 2026 survey by Sepsis Alliance. This marks a significant increase from 75% in 2025 and a dramatic rise from just 19% when the organization first conducted the survey in 2003.
Sepsis, a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the body's response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs, affects more than 1.7 million people in the U.S. annually. It contributes to approximately 350,000 adult deaths each year. The risk of mortality increases by 4 to 9% for every hour that treatment is delayed, underscoring the critical importance of recognizing sepsis and seeking treatment quickly.
Sepsis Alliance, the nation's first and leading sepsis organization, has been measuring public knowledge and understanding of sepsis through its annual awareness survey since 2003. The organization aims to create a more "sepsis safe" world by educating the public, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and advocates, and by advancing improvements in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of sepsis.
However, while awareness has increased, significant gaps remain in understanding what sepsis is and recognizing its signs and symptoms. The survey found that the majority of people, 77%, were unable to identify all four of the most common signs and symptoms of sepsis. Sepsis Alliance uses the tool Sepsis: It's About TIME™ to help people remember these signs.
Of the four signs, infection was the most commonly recognized at 60%, followed by temperature at 52%, extremely ill at 51%, and mental decline at 30%. Just 23% of respondents were able to identify all four signs and symptoms, while 30% selected "do not know," meaning more people selected "do not know" than were able to identify all four signs.
There were also significant racial differences in symptom recognition. Only 12% of Black respondents and 13% of Hispanic respondents were able to identify all four signs and symptoms, compared with 27% of white respondents. Income and location also played a role. Among adults with an annual household income of $80,000 or more, 84% reported being aware of the term sepsis, compared with 70% of those with an annual household income below $40,000. Adults living in suburban or town areas were more likely to report awareness of sepsis, at 82%, compared with 72% of adults living in urban areas.
The survey also found that 4% of respondents reported being diagnosed with sepsis during a hospital stay, while another 1% said they had been diagnosed with sepsis but were not informed until after discharge. Fourteen percent of respondents said they had never been formally diagnosed with sepsis but believed they had experienced it at some point in their lives.
The findings suggest that while recognizing the word "sepsis" is an important first step, knowing the signs and symptoms and when to seek emergency care is even more critical. Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency, but many Americans do not know it. When asked to identify the leading cause of death in hospitals, just 18% selected sepsis. More respondents selected "do not know," at 34%, or heart attack, at 24%.
Sepsis Alliance remains committed to closing gaps in awareness and understanding, particularly among communities that have historically been underserved by sepsis education. That means expanding access to clear and accessible resources, advancing legislation that can save lives from sepsis, supporting research and innovation that improve care at the bedside, and championing the needs of sepsis survivors who may face lasting physical, cognitive, and emotional effects long after their initial illness.
The organization also continues to educate healthcare professionals through free continuing education opportunities, provide resources to help the public recognize and respond to sepsis, and connect people affected by sepsis with advocates and survivors for community, companionship, and inspiration. One key event is the Sepsis Alliance Summit, a free two-day virtual conference scheduled for September 16-17, 2026. For more information, visit SepsisSummit.org.