What are the first sepsis warning signs to watch for?

The CDC lists confusion or disorientation, extreme pain or discomfort, fever or shivering, clammy or sweaty skin, high heart rate or weak pulse, and shortness of breath. Any combination of these in someone with a known or suspected infection warrants immediate medical attention.

Is sepsis contagious?

No. Sepsis itself does not spread from person to person. However, the infections that lead to sepsis can be contagious, which is why hand hygiene and vaccination matter for the whole household.

When is Sepsis Awareness Month and World Sepsis Day?

Sepsis Awareness Month is observed every September, and World Sepsis Day falls on September 13 each year. The Global Sepsis Alliance launched World Sepsis Day in 2012 to raise recognition of sepsis worldwide.

Why would a sepsis patient need an air ambulance?

Septic shock often requires intensive care, advanced monitoring, and sometimes surgical treatment that smaller hospitals cannot provide. When a sending physician determines that a patient needs a higher level of care quickly, air medical transport can shorten the time to that care. Dispatch and clinical protocols determine the right resource.

Does a PHI Cares Membership help with a sepsis transport?

Yes. If a medically necessary emergency transport is performed by PHI Air Medical or a cooperative partner, members have $0 out-of-pocket responsibility according to membership terms. After a transport, members should contact the PHI Cares Membership Department so we can coordinate directly with the insurance provider.

Who can enroll in PHI Cares?

Most households in a PHI Cares service area can enroll, and one plan includes your spouse, dependents at your address, and up to 3 additional people at the same address. Federal law does not permit Medicaid participants to enroll in air medical membership programs. See the PHI Cares FAQ page for details and current eligibility information.

SERVING HAPPY, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

News, Resources, Tips, and Financial Security with PHI Cares Membership

Adult daughter walking outdoors with her older mother, who is in a higher-risk group for sepsis.

Featured

September 9, 2026

Sepsis Warning Signs: What Every Household Should Know This Sepsis Awareness Month

Sepsis warning signs are easy to miss, and that is exactly what makes sepsis so dangerous. September is Sepsis Awareness Month, and September 13 is World Sepsis Day. This is the right moment to learn what to watch for. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes sepsis as the...

HIGHLIGHTS

Why Yellow is an Excellent Choice for Emergency Medical Helicopters

Understanding the PHI Air Medical Coverage Map

What is a Medevac Flight?

Are Air Ambulance Services Covered by Health Insurance?

September 9, 2026

Sepsis Warning Signs: What Every Household Should Know This Sepsis Awareness Month

Family reviewing a written household emergency plan during National Preparedness Month.

September 2, 2026

National Preparedness Month: Build a Household Emergency Plan That Works Where You Live

National Preparedness Month arrives every September, and it exists for a simple reason. Most households intend to get ready, and then life gets busy. The Federal Emergency Management Agency runs the observance through its Ready campaign, and the goal is to move families from good intentions to a written plan.¹...

fall-sports-safety-phi-helicopter-friday-night-standby

August 24, 2026

Fall Sports Safety: Protecting Young Athletes During August Practices

Fall Sports Safety: Protecting Young Athletes During August Practices Fall sports safety takes center stage every August, when football pads, cross country spikes, and soccer cleats come out of the closet weeks before the temperatures cool down. Preseason practices collide with the hottest stretch of the year, and that combination...

back-to-school-safety-featured-school-bus

August 17, 2026

Back to School Safety: Bus Stops, New Drivers, and Smarter Routines

Back to School Safety: Bus Stops, New Drivers, and Smarter Routines Back to school safety belongs on every family’s August to-do list, right next to the supply run and the new sneakers. As classrooms reopen, millions of children return to bus stops, crosswalks, bike lanes, and carpool lines, and neighborhood...