AP
The legendary soul singer has been plagued with health problems in recent years, with her ailments ranging from Alzheimer's disease and kidney failure to leukemia. Earlier this week, the 73-year-old was admitted into an undisclosed Southern California hospital for treatment of sepsis, a deadly blood poisoning, and a urinary tract infection.
"It was a really bad infection. Right now, she's doing a lot better," said Etta's son Sametto James.
Sepsis occurs when the immune system overloads in fighting infections. The body releases chemicals into the bloodstream to fight the infection, but instead causes inflammation that can lead to blood clots, organ failure or a drastic drop in blood pressure.
Her son told the Riverside Press-Enterprise that his mother was expected to remain hospitalized "as long as it takes to clear her infections."
James was hospitalized for similar symptoms in early 2010, after canceling several concerts in the months prior. At the turn of 2011, the 'At Last' singer's husband filed revealing court documents that shocked the world with the news she was battling cancer and noted she was unable to tend for herself.
Watch Etta James' 'Something's Got a Hold of Me'
Kellie Pickler Advances to 'Dancing With the Stars' Finals
Taylor Swift Admired George Jones' Passion for Performing
Rock the Bells 2013 Lineup Includes Ol' Dirty Bastard & Eazy-E Holograms
Carrie Underwood Says She's 'Queen of Awkward' in Marie Claire Interview
Jennifer Hudson Performs 'Inseparable' With 'American Idol' Winner Candice Glover
Victim's Sister To Arias: 'Our Minds Are Permanently Stained'
Man Arrested After Midnight Swim Near Taylor Swift's Rhode Island Home
Waitress Surprised With HUGE Tip On Tiny Bill
Nine Inch Nails Lose Bassist Eric Avery
LOOK: There's Something Wrong With This Picture
Lil Wayne's Emmett Till Lyric Was Never Meant for Public Consumption
Former OJ Attorney Gives Shocking Testimony
Kree Harrison Debuts Potential Single 'All Cried Out' During 'American Idol' Finale
These American Companies Refused To Sign The Bangladesh Safety Accord
Willie Nelson Raises More Than $120K for West, Texas Explosion Relief
New Leads In Case Of Missing British Girl
PREGNANT!
And Your New 'American Idol' Is ...
The Afterlife Of Andy Kaufman
Pictures Showing Pregnant Teens' Bumps Banned From Yearbook
Jodi Arias' Lawyers Want Out
Will Smith, Jaden Smith Get Photobombed
LOOK: Khloe K Shows Curves In SKIN TIGHT Dress
Chef Allegedly Killed Over Noodle Dinner Gone Wrong
Hero Hitchhiker Arrested For Allegedly Beating Man To Death
Televangelist Claims It's The Wife's Job To Keep Men Faithful
LeAnn Rimes, Brandi Glanville Feud Reignites
LOOK: The Worst Twitter Responses To Angelina Jolie's Preventative Mastectomy
Victoria Lost 96 Pounds: 'It Was All Or Nothing'
Jury: Arias Should Face Death Penalty
LOOK: Mind-Blowing Optical Illusions
WATCH: How Moms Inadvertently Sabotage Their Sons
Lawyer: Castro To Enter Plea
2 Comments