GAOS Consumer Materials for Assessment

F O R PATI E NTS A N D FA M I LI E S

START THE
CONVERSATION TODAY.
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is
life-threatening, and without timely treatment, sepsis can
rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.

Below are questions and answers you can use to start a
conversation with your doctor or nurse.

“I want to keep my family safe.
How can I protect them from sepsis?”
• Talk to your doctor or nurse about steps you can take to
prevent infections. Some steps include taking good care
of chronic conditions and getting recommended vaccines.

• Practice good hygiene, such as handwashing, and
keeping cuts clean and covered until healed.

• Know the symptoms of sepsis.
• ACT FAST. Get medical care IMMEDIATELY if you suspect
sepsis or have an infection that’s not getting better or is
getting worse.

“My elderly father has diabetes. Could he be at higher risk
for infections that can lead to sepsis?”
Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection can lead to sepsis.
People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and
kidney disease are at higher risk of developing infections that can lead to
sepsis. Sepsis almost more commonly occurs in:

• Adults 65 or older
• People with weakened immune systems
• Children younger than one

“I have an infection that doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I am concerned this
could be leading to sepsis. What can I do to make sure this does not happen?”
Sepsis is a medical emergency. Act fast. Get medical care
immediately if you suspect sepsis or have an infection
that’s not getting better or is getting worse.

If you or your loved one suspects
sepsis or has an infection that’s not
getting better or is getting worse,
ask your doctor or nurse, “Could this
infection be leading to sepsis?”

“My 6-month-old son had a low-grade fever and cough yesterday.
But, today, he is not alert, is making fewer wet diapers, and is having
difficulty breathing. Could this be leading to sepsis?”
Talk to your doctor or nurse and ask if this could be leading to sepsis.
Symptoms of sepsis can include any one or a combination of the following:

•
•
•

Confusion or disorientation
Shortness of breath
High heart rate

•
•
•

Fever, or shivering, or feeling very cold
Extreme pain or discomfort
Clammy or sweaty skin

“My grandmother has a urinary tract infection. She has had a fever
for the past few days. She has also been confused and disoriented.
Could her infection be leading to sepsis?”
Infections put you and your family at risk for sepsis. Sepsis happens
when an infection you already have—in your skin, lungs, urinary tract or
somewhere else—triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.

To learn more about sepsis and how to prevent infections,
visit www.cdc.gov/sepsis.
·

Sepsis is a medical emergency and every minute counts. A doctor or
other healthcare provider should check for signs of sepsis and ask you
about your infection. Sometimes, lab tests are needed to find out if you
have an infection.
PubNo. 300411

F O R PATI E NT S A N D FA M I LI E S

PROTECT YOURSELF
AND YOUR FAMILY
FROM SEPSIS.
If you or your loved one suspects
sepsis or has an infection that’s not
getting better or is getting worse,
ask your doctor or nurse, “Could this
infection be leading to sepsis?”

Infections put you and your family at risk for a
life-threatening condition called sepsis.

WHAT IS SEPSIS?

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection.
It is life-threatening, and without timely treatment,
sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure,
and death.

Symptoms of sepsis can include any one or a combination
of the following:

Sepsis happens when an infection you already have—
in your skin, lungs, urinary tract or somewhere else—
triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.

WHO IS AT RISK?
Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection
can lead to sepsis. Some people are at higher risk of
infection and sepsis:

?

?

?

?

CONFUSION OR
DISORIENTATION

SHORTNESS OF BREATH

HIGH HEART RATE

FEVER, OR SHIVERING,
OR FEELING VERY COLD

EXTREME PAIN OR
DISCOMFORT

CLAMMY OR
SWEATY SKIN

•
•

Adults 65 or older
People with chronic conditions, such as diabetes,
lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease
• People with weakened immune systems
• Children younger than one
The most frequently identified germs that cause
infections that can develop into sepsis include
Staphylococcus aureus (staph), Escherichia coli (E. coli),
and some types of Streptococcus.

HOW CAN I GET AHEAD OF SEPSIS?
1. Talk to your doctor or nurse about steps you can
take to prevent infections. Some steps include
taking good care of chronic conditions and getting
recommended vaccines.

Sepsis is a medical emergency. Time matters.
To learn more about sepsis and how to prevent
infections, visit www.cdc.gov/sepsis.

2. Practice good hygiene, such as handwashing, and
keeping cuts clean and covered until healed.
3. Know the symptoms of sepsis.
4. ACT FAST. Get medical care IMMEDIATELY if you
suspect sepsis or have an infection that’s not getting
better or is getting worse.

·

PubNo. 300410

F O R PATI E NT S A N D FA M I LI E S

STAY HEALTHY.
PROTECT YOURSELF
FROM SEPSIS.
It’s time to talk about sepsis. Ask
your doctor or nurse, “How can
I prevent infections?”

Take charge of your health. Chronic conditions, such as
diabetes, put you at risk for infections that can lead to a
life-threatening condition called sepsis.

WHAT IS SEPSIS?
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection.
It is life-threatening, and without timely treatment,
sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure,
and death.
Sepsis happens when an infection you already have—
in your skin, lungs, urinary tract or somewhere else—
triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Symptoms of sepsis can include any one or a combination
of the following:
?

?

?

?

AM I AT RISK?
Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection
can lead to sepsis. People with chronic conditions such
as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease,
are at higher risk of developing infections that can lead
to sepsis. Sepsis also more commonly occurs in:

CONFUSION OR
DISORIENTATION

SHORTNESS OF BREATH

HIGH HEART RATE

FEVER, OR SHIVERING,
OR FEELING VERY COLD

EXTREME PAIN OR
DISCOMFORT

CLAMMY OR
SWEATY SKIN

•
•
•

Adults 65 or older
People with weakened immune systems
Children younger than one
The most frequently identified germs that cause
infections that can develop into sepsis include
Staphylococcus aureus (staph), Escherichia coli (E. coli),
and some types of Streptococcus.

HOW CAN I GET AHEAD OF SEPSIS?
1. Talk to your doctor or nurse about steps you can
take to prevent infections. Some steps include
taking good care of chronic conditions and getting
recommended vaccines.
2. Practice good hygiene, such as handwashing, and
keeping cuts clean and covered until healed.

Sepsis is a medical emergency. Time
matters. If you or your loved one suspects
sepsis or has an infection that’s not getting
better or is getting worse, ask your doctor
or nurse, “Could this infection be leading
to sepsis?”

3. Know the symptoms of sepsis.
4. ACT FAST. Get medical care IMMEDIATELY if you
suspect sepsis or have an infection that’s not getting
better or is getting worse.

To learn more about sepsis and how to prevent infections,
visit www.cdc.gov/sepsis.
·

PubNo. 300409

4 WAYS TO
GET AHEAD OF SEPSIS
Infections put you and your family at risk for a life-threatening condition called sepsis.
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is life-threatening, and without timely treatment, sepsis
can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Sepsis happens when an infection you already
have—in your skin, lungs, urinary tract or somewhere else—triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.

Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection can lead to sepsis.

1

PREVENT
INFECTIONS

2

PRACTICE
GOOD HYGIENE

Talk to your doctor or nurse about steps
you can take to prevent infections.

Take good care of chronic conditions

Get recommended vaccines

Handwashing

Keep cuts clean and covered until healed.

Remember to wash your hands and keep
cuts clean and covered until healed.

?

3

KNOW
THE SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of sepsis can include any one
or a combination of these:

4

ACT
FAST

Get medical care IMMEDIATELY if you
suspect sepsis or have an infection that’s
not getting better or is getting worse.

?

?

?

Confusion or
disorientation

Shortness
of breath

High heart
rate

Fever, or
shivering, or
feeling very
cold

Extreme pain
or discomfort

Clammy or
sweaty skin

Sepsis is a medical emergency. Time matters.
To learn more about sepsis and how to prevent infections,
visit www.cdc.gov/sepsis.
·

PubNo. 300419

F O R PATI E NTS A N D FA M I LI E S

PROTECT YOURSELF
AND YOUR FAMILY
FROM SEPSIS.
Sepsis happens when an infection you already
have—in your skin, lungs, urinary tract or
somewhere else—triggers a chain reaction
throughout your body.
It is life-threatening, and without timely
treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue
damage, organ failure, and death.

How can I get ahead of sepsis?
1. Talk with your doctor or nurse about steps you can take to prevent
infections. Some steps include taking good care of chronic
conditions and getting recommended vaccines.
2. Practice good hygiene, such as handwashing, and keeping cuts
clean and covered until healed.
3. Know the symptoms of sepsis.
4. ACT FAST. Get medical care IMMEDIATELY if you suspect sepsis
or have an infection that’s not getting better or is getting worse.

To learn more about sepsis and how to prevent infections, visit, www.cdc.gov/sepsis.
·

PubNo. 300412

Do
you
“ know
about
sepsis?”
It’s time to talk about sepsis. Why?
Because any infection – like a wound, pneumonia,
or a urinary tract infection – can lead to sepsis.
Because sepsis is a medical emergency.
If you or a loved one suspects sepsis or has an infection
that’s not getting better, ask your doctor or nurse,

“Could this infection be leading to sepsis?”
·

CDC.gov/sepsis
PubNo. 300415

Do
you
“ know
about
sepsis?”
It’s time to talk about sepsis. Why?
Because any infection – like a wound, pneumonia,
or a urinary tract infection – can lead to sepsis.
Because sepsis is a medical emergency.
If you or a loved one suspects sepsis or has an infection
that’s not getting better, ask your doctor or nurse,

“Could this infection be leading to sepsis?”
·

CDC.gov/sepsis
PubNo. 300414

Do
you
“ know
about
sepsis?”
It’s time to talk about sepsis. Why?
Because any infection – like a wound, pneumonia,
or a urinary tract infection – can lead to sepsis.
Because sepsis is a medical emergency.
If you or a loved one suspects sepsis or has an infection
that’s not getting better, ask your doctor or nurse,

“Could this infection be leading to sepsis?”
·

CDC.gov/sepsis
PubNo. 300417

Do
you
“ know
about
sepsis?”
It’s time to talk about sepsis. Why?
Because any infection – like a wound, pneumonia,
or a urinary tract infection – can lead to sepsis.
Because sepsis is a medical emergency.
If you or a loved one suspects sepsis or has an infection
that’s not getting better, ask your doctor or nurse,

“Could this infection be leading to sepsis?”
·

CDC.gov/sepsis
PubNo. 300418

Do
you
“ know
about
sepsis?”
It’s time to talk about sepsis. Why?
Because any infection – like a wound, pneumonia,
or a urinary tract infection – can lead to sepsis.
Because sepsis is a medical emergency.
If you or a loved one suspects sepsis or has an infection
that’s not getting better, ask your doctor or nurse,

“Could this infection be leading to sepsis?”
·

CDC.gov/sepsis
PubNo. 300413

Do
you
“ know
about
sepsis?”
It’s time to talk about sepsis. Why?
Because any infection – like a wound, pneumonia,
or a urinary tract infection – can lead to sepsis.
Because sepsis is a medical emergency.
If you or a loved one suspects sepsis or has an infection
that’s not getting better, ask your doctor or nurse,

“Could this infection be leading to sepsis?”
·

CDC.gov/sepsis
PubNo. 300416

CDC Sepsis Consumer Materials
The thumbnails included provide a sample of CDC Sepsis materials including:
•
•
•

Public service announcements
Social media graphics
Paid media assets

CDC Sepsis Consumer Materials