Think Sepsis.
Save Lives.

Sepsis is a medical emergency.

Every year, 20,000 people in Switzerland are hospitalized due to sepsis. Of those, 4,000 die.

Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune response to an infection gets out of control. It can become life-threatening within a few hours.

Learn more about sepsis

A sick child is lying in bed, and the mother places her hand on the child's forehead to check their temperature.

Could I have sepsis?

Sepsis can become life-threatening within a short period of time. Learn about the symptoms that may indicate it.

The most important answers about sepsis

What sepsis is, why it is a medical emergency, and why early intervention is crucial.

Sign the Swiss Sepsis
Declaration now

By signing this petition, you are supporting earlier detection of sepsis, better public education, and improved sepsis care in Switzerland.

Read the Swiss Sepsis
Report

The Swiss Sepsis Report examines case numbers, deaths, costs, and key challenges in sepsis care in Switzerland.

Read personal sepsis stories at

Behind every case of sepsis is a person. Personal experiences show just how sudden and life-altering sepsis can be.

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News, events, studies, and background information from the Swiss Sepsis Program and the sepsis community in Switzerland.

Heike Spreter-Krick survived a life-threatening sepsis on an alp in Uri in 2021 and has been campaigning for better education ever since.

As a German citizen, I signed the Swiss Sepsis Declaration because sepsis knows no borders. Learn more so that survival isn’t left to chance.

Heike Spreter-Krick, a sepsis survivor

Sign the Swiss Sepsis Declaration.

Sepsis stories

Estefanía und Andres Zardon

Estefanía und Andres Zardon

Andres was 12 years old and had always been healthy up until then.…

Simonetta Angelucci, a sepsis survivor

Simonetta Angelucci

In July 2021, Simonetta Angelucci developed sepsis. All her organs failed, and she was in an induced coma for ten days.

Manuela Heymer with her son Luis, who survived sepsis

Manuela and Luis Heymer

When Luis developed a fever of over 40 degrees Fahrenheit, no one suspected sepsis. A few days later, the boy was in the intensive care unit.

Georg Sigrist, a sepsis survivor, plays the saxophone. The music gives him strength as he recovers.

Georg Sigrist

At the age of 72, Georg Sigrist developed sepsis. What initially seemed like the flu took a dramatic turn for the worse within a few days.

Anton Löffel at home. He survived sepsis in 2021 following a scheduled surgery.

Anton Löffel

In November 2021, Anton Löffel developed sepsis after a planned operation and spent many weeks in intensive care.

Pediatrician Stephanie Stücheli-Herlach in her office in Uster. She survived sepsis in 2016.

Stephanie Stücheli-Herlach

Ten years ago, pediatrician Stephanie Stücheli-Herlach survived sepsis. What followed was a long journey back to normal life, marked by severe physical limitations.

Heike Spreter-Krick survived a life-threatening sepsis on an alp in Uri in 2021 and has been campaigning for better education ever since.

Heike Spreter-Krick

In the summer of 2021, Heike Spreter-Krick suffered a life-threatening case of sepsis on an alp in the Uri Mountains.

Roger van Klaveren is dedicated to raising awareness about sepsis after surviving an episode of sepsis that cost him both lower legs and parts of several fingers.

Roger van Klaveren

Roger van Klaveren survived sepsis in 2023 following a perforated bowel. For weeks, he fought for his life …

Ujkan Ahmetaj with his daughter, who survived sepsis.

Ujkan Ahmetaj und Vera

When eight-year-old Vera* suddenly came down with a high fever, her parents thought she had the flu.

Lilian Robert has survived sepsis three times.

Lilian Robert

Lilian Robert hat in den letzten zwei Jahren drei Sepsis-Episoden überlebt.

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News

CHF 15,800 for sepsis care at the Children’s Hospital Zurich

At the third “Trofeo Elia Epifanio” in Wohlen, CHF 15,800 was raised for the University Children’s Hospital of Zurich.

Photo: Hans Waarle (Safenwil Samaritan Association), Laurin Stücheli (specialist), Lilian Robert (person affected), and Oliver Ebert (family member)

Recognizing sepsis starts with knowledge

Recognizing sepsis and taking swift action: The Swiss Sepsis Program visits a training exercise hosted by the Safenwil AG Samaritan Association.

LUKS wird Pilotspital im Swiss Sepsis Program

LUKS to Become a Pilot Hospital in the Swiss Sepsis Program

The Lucerne Cantonal Hospital (LUKS) is participating as a pilot hospital in the…

Anton Löffel, President, and Lilian Robert, Vice President of the "Sepsis Switzerland" association

Organization Takes a Stand Against Sepsis and for Those Affected

The new organization “Sepsis Switzerland” is dedicated to raising awareness of sepsis, ensuring it is diagnosed earlier, and improving its treatment. Those affected hope to use the organization to foster greater collaboration and provide direct assistance.

Roger van Klaveren shortly before the start of his WALK for SEPSIS Prävention at the market square in Basel.

112 days on the road to raise awareness about sepsis prevention

On May 23 at 9 a.m., Roger van Klaveren, a sepsis survivor, will embark on an extraordinary journey in Basel: Over the course of 112 days, he plans to travel from Basel to Gran Canaria, covering much of the distance on foot using prosthetic legs.

Jennifer Epifanio's family at the Global Sepsis Alliance conference.

Geneva briefing against the greatest health threat

The Global Sepsis Alliance presented its new “5×5 Briefing” in Geneva and called for concrete measures to combat sepsis. Swiss contributions lent the presentation particular weight.

Prof. Emeritus Dr. Peter Suter at the press conference of the German Sepsis Foundation.

Swiss presence in Berlin

At a press conference held by the Sepsis Foundation in Berlin, experts and patients called for sepsis to be given higher political priority.

At the Swiss Sepsis Program press conference, the five speakers sit side by side and discuss research findings as well as personal experiences.

Swiss Press Conference for World Sepsis Day 2025

To mark World Sepsis Day 2025, representatives of the Swiss Sepsis Program spoke to the Swiss media.

Swiss Sepsis Report 2025 Cover (No Text, Trimmed)

First Swiss Sepsis Report

To mark World Sepsis Day 2025, the Swiss Sepsis Program published the Swiss Sepsis Report for the first time.

swiss sepsis program

Swiss Sepsis Declaration 2025

To mark World Sepsis Day 2025, the Swiss Sepsis Program (SSP) launched the Swiss Sepsis Declaration.

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