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Septic shock
Bacteremic shock; Endotoxic shock; Septicemic shock; Warm shock
Septic shock is a serious condition that occurs when a body-wide infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure.
Causes
Septic shock occurs most often in the very old and the very young. It may also occur in people with weakened immune systems.
Any type of bacteria can cause septic shock. Fungi and (rarely) viruses may also cause the condition. Toxins released by the bacteria or fungi may cause tissue damage. This may lead to low blood pressure and poor organ function. Some researchers think that blood clots in small arteries cause the lack of blood flow and poor organ function.
The body has a strong inflammatory response to the toxins that may contribute to organ damage.
Risk factors for septic shock include:
-
Diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
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Diseases of the genitourinary system,
biliary system
, or intestinal system
Biliary system
The biliary system creates, moves, stores, and releases bile into the duodenum. This helps the body digest food. It also assists in transporting wa...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Diseases that weaken the immune system, such as AIDS
- Indwelling catheters (those that remain in place for extended periods, especially intravenous lines and urinary catheters, and plastic and metal stents used for drainage)
- Leukemia
- Long-term use of antibiotics
- Lymphoma
- Recent infection
- Recent surgery or medical procedure
- Recent use of steroid medicines
- Solid organ or bone marrow transplantation
Symptoms
Septic shock can affect any part of the body, including the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and intestines. Symptoms may include:
- Cool, pale arms and legs
- High or very low temperature, chills
- Light headedness
-
Little or no urine
Little or no urine
Decreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 ml of urine in 24 hours (a little over 2 cups)....
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Low blood pressure, especially when standing
- Palpitations
- Rapid heart rate
-
Restlessness,
agitation
, lethargy, or confusion
Agitation
Agitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.
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- Skin rash or discoloration
-
Decreased mental status
Decreased mental status
Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a person cannot be awakened. A long-term co...
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Exams and Tests
Blood tests may be done to check for:
- Infection around the body
-
Complete blood count (CBC)
and blood chemistry
Complete blood count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The tota...
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- Low blood oxygen level
- Disturbances in the body's acid-base balance
- Poor organ function or organ failure
Other tests may include:
- A chest x-ray to look for pneumonia or fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
- A urine sample to look for infection
Additional studies, such as blood cultures , may not become positive for several days after the blood has been taken, or for several days after the shock has developed.
Blood cultures
A blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other germs in a blood sample.
Treatment
Septic shock is a medical emergency. In most cases, people are admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital.
Treatment may include:
- Breathing machine (mechanical ventilation)
- Dialysis
- Drugs to treat low blood pressure, infection, or blood clotting
- Fluids given directly into a vein (intravenously)
- Oxygen
- Sedatives
- Surgery to drain infected areas, if needed
- Antibiotics
The pressure in the heart and lungs may be checked. This is called hemodynamic monitoring. This can only be done with special equipment and intensive care nursing.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Septic shock has a high death rate. The death rate depends on the person's age and overall health, the cause of the infection, how many organs have failed, and how quickly and aggressively medical therapy is started.
Possible Complications
Respiratory failure, cardiac failure , or any other organ failure can occur. Gangrene may occur, possibly leading to amputation.
Cardiac failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Go directly to an emergency department if you develop symptoms of septic shock.
Prevention
Prompt treatment of bacterial infections is helpful. However, many cases of septic shock cannot be prevented.
References
Jones E, Kline JA. Shock. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 6.
Munford RS, Suffredini AF. Sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 74.
Rivers EP. Approach to the patient with shock. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 106.
Review Date: 11/19/2015
Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
