Sepsis Awareness

Dr. Chinwe Aligwekwe, MD

All you need to know about Sepsis

September is Sepsis Awareness Month: Every time I walk into the emergency room to admit a patient diagnosed with sepsis, I meet patients who are very scared but do not entirely understand their diagnosis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s response to an infection and can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and potentially death.

State Rep. Chuck Efstration, right, and Gov. Nathan Deal, center, pose for a photo with sepsis survivor Karen Thieken, center right, along with her family and colleagues at the state Capitol in March.

Strong voice for sneaky illness

Karen Thieken is a busy, 40-some-thing wife and mom. She’s an entrepreneur, crazy about her family and excited about her business. Pushing her glasses up on top of her head and crossing her arms, she shakes her head as she ponders a miracle, the one that allows her to get up every morning and keep being a wife, mom and business owner.