Septic shock is the last and most severe stage of sepsis. It is a medical condition wherein an infection in your body leads to extremely low blood pressure and organ failure due to sepsis.
Cleveland Clinic says that septic shock is a life-threatening condition and it requires immediate medical treatment. But first, it’s important to understand what sepsis is.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. “Most cases of sepsis start before a patient goes to the hospital. Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract.”
What causes sepsis?
Germs get into a person’s body which then causes an infection. However, when this infection isn’t treated and stopped, it causes sepsis. In most cases, bacterial infections are the cause of sepsis. It can also result from other infections such as viral infections or fungal infections. According to CDC, “Most people who develop sepsis have at least one underlying medical condition, such as chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system. Nearly a quarter to a third of people with sepsis had a healthcare visit in the week before they were hospitalized.”
Stages of sepsis
There are three stages of sepsis, with septic shock being the last and most dangerous stage of the condition. Here are the three stages of sepsis:
- Sepsis: This is a condition wherein your immune system overreacts to an infection.
- Severe sepsis: This is when sepsis causes your organs to malfunction. This usually happens because of low blood pressure and a result of inflammation in your body.
- Septic shock: Septic shock is the last stage of sepsis. It is defined by extremely low blood pressure, despite lots of IV (intravenous) fluids.
Symptoms of septic shock
Here are some of the early signs of sepsis, according to Cleveland Clinic.
- Fast heart rate
- Fever or hypothermia (low body temperature)
- Shaking or chills
- Warm, clammy or sweaty skin
- Confusion or disorientation
- Hyperventilation (rapid breathing)
- Shortness of breath.
When you have septic shock, you may notice some of these additional symptoms which include:
- Very low blood pressure
- Lightheadedness
- Little or no urine output
- Heart palpitations
- Cool and pale limbs
- Skin rash.
What are the complications of septic shock?
Here, take a look at some of the complications that can happen due to septic shock.
- Brain damage: When the body fights septic shock, it can lead to brain damage. The infection causes inflammation, which damages brain cells, leading to confusion, memory problems and difficulty in thinking clearly.
- Lung failure: During septic shock, severe infection can damage the lungs, leading to lung failure. This occurs because the infection causes inflammation in the lungs, making it difficult for oxygen to enter the bloodstream.
- Heart failure: Septic shock can weaken the heart, eventually causing heart failure. Due to the infection, the heart can’t pump blood properly, which results in symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling.
- Kidney failure: During septic shock, severe infection harms the kidneys. The infection affects blood flow to the kidneys, causing them to function poorly or stop working.
- Gangrene: Septic shock restricts blood flow due to which tissues can die, causing gangrene. Without enough blood and oxygen, cells decay, turning black and emitting foul odours which eventually requires surgery.
- Death: Septic shock can also lead to death as the body’s response becomes chaotic, causing organs to fail. Without quick treatment, low blood pressure and lack of oxygen can be fatal.
