Overview

Definition

Septic shock occurs when blood pressure drops very low after an infection. The infection first leads to a reaction called sepsis. Sepsis impairs blood flow. If it worsens, blood pressure drops. Organs cannot get enough oxygen and nutrients. If blood pressure cannot be restored, septic shock happens. Septic shock may result in multiple organ failure and death.

Causes

Septic shock is caused by an infection that overwhelms the body. Sepsis can be triggered by many kinds of infections, including:

  • Bacterial—most common
  • Fungal infections
  • Viral
  • Parasitic
Toxins Can Spread Through the Bloodstream
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Risk Factors

Septic shock is more common in infants and in people over 50 years old. Other things that raise the risk are:

  • A weak immune system
  • Not having a spleen
  • Cancer
  • Low white blood cell counts
  • Long term diseases
  • Previous surgery

SymptomsandDiagnosis

Symptoms

Septic shock may cause:

  • Fever or low body temperature
  • Chills
  • Fast, pounding heartbeat
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Confusion and reduced alertness
  • Problems with urination
  • Severe bleeding— disseminated intravascular coagulation

Septic shock may also cause symptoms of:

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.

Tests may include:

  • Blood tests
  • A swab of tissue—to test for infection
  • ECG—to check heart rhythm
  • Imaging tests—to look for sources of infection, such as pneumonia

Treatments

Treatment

Sepsis and septic shock need care right away. Treatment requires hospitalization and may include:

  • IV fluids and oxygen
  • Antibiotics or antifungal medicines—to treat infection
  • Medicines to increase blood pressure and blood flow
  • Corticosteroids—to reduce inflammation
  • A mechanical ventilator—to help with breathing, if the lungs fail
  • Surgery—to remove dead tissue or drain infections

Other supportive therapies may also be used.

Prevention

Most cases of septic shock cannot be prevented. Treating infections right away may help.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.

RESOURCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov 

Society of Critical Care Medicine http://www.sccm.org 

CANADIAN RESOURCES

CAEP—Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians http://www.caep.ca 

Health Canada https://www.canada.ca 

References

Rhodes A, Evans LE, Alhazzani W, et al. Surviving sepsis campaign: international guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock: 2016. Intensive Care Med. 2017;43(3):304-377.

Sepsis and septic shock. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/critical-care-medicine/sepsis-and-septic-shock/sepsis-and-septic-shock. AccessedFebruary 25, 2021.

Sepsis in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/sepsis-in-adults . Accessed February 25, 2021.

Sepsis. National Institute of General Medical Sciences website. Available at: https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Pages/factsheet%5Fsepsis.aspx. Accessed February 25, 2021.

Sepsis treatment in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/sepsis-treatment-in-adults. Accessed February 25, 2021.