Awareness Day

World Sepsis Day

September 13, 2026 Recurs yearly

A healthcare professional assessing a patient during a clinical consultation to support early recognition and timely care for sepsis.

2026 Theme

Invest in Sepsis – Save Lives

Red & Black Ribbon representing Sepsis Awareness Month & World Sepsis Day

Campaign Representation

Officially represented by a custom symbol.

Campaign Description

A global awareness campaign dedicated to increasing public and professional understanding of sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency caused by the body's extreme response to infection. Coordinated by the Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA) and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and international partners, the campaign promotes infection prevention, early recognition of sepsis, prompt treatment, improved quality of care, and stronger health systems to reduce preventable deaths and disability.

Theme Focus

The 2026 theme focuses on investing in infection prevention, early recognition, timely and quality sepsis care, healthcare professionals, research and innovation, and stronger health systems to reduce preventable deaths and long-term disability from sepsis.

Key Priorities

  • Prevent infections: strengthen vaccination, infection prevention and control, clean care, maternal and newborn care, and antimicrobial stewardship.
  • Recognise sepsis early: improve awareness among the public and healthcare professionals so potentially serious deterioration is not overlooked.
  • Provide timely, quality care: ensure appropriate diagnostics, treatment, referral and emergency or critical care are available when needed.
  • Invest in healthcare professionals: support education, training, resources and safe working environments.
  • Invest in research and innovation: improve diagnostics, treatments, prevention strategies and approaches suited to different healthcare settings.
  • Support survivors and families: recognise that sepsis can have consequences that persist after the acute illness, requiring rehabilitation and longer-term support.
  • Strengthen health systems: incorporate sepsis prevention, surveillance, recognition and management into resilient health systems and preparedness.

Key Concepts

  • Sepsis
  • Infection
  • Systemic response to infection
  • Organ dysfunction
  • Septic shock
  • Early recognition
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Antimicrobial stewardship
  • Sepsis screening
  • Timely treatment
  • Critical care
  • Diagnostic testing
  • Sepsis survivor
  • Post-sepsis syndrome
  • Rehabilitation
  • Patient safety
  • Health-system resilience
View Awareness Calendar