Septic shock happens with very serious infection. It leads to life-threatening low blood pressure. Any type of bacteria can cause septic shock. Sometimes fungi or viruses cause this problem. Septic shock can lead to organ damage and death. The risk of death is very high. The more organs injured by septic shock, the more likely a patient will die. Organ damage occurs when low blood pressure prevents an organ from getting enough oxygen and nutrients. Every hour that organs continue to fail makes it less likely a patient will live.
What are common symptoms?
- Fevers and chills
- Fast heartbeat
- Cold hands or feet
- Confusion
- Severe dizziness when standing
- Trouble breathing
What kinds of infection can cause septic shock?
- Infection can occur in the body organs:
- Lung (like pneumonia)
- Stomach
- Urine
- Skin
- Blood
- Bone
- Abscess in the body
- Sometimes the infection cannot be found
- Nervous system (meningitis)
How can septic shock be treated?
- Fluids given through a vein (I.V.)
- Medicines
- To raise blood pressure
- To lower the swelling and irritation in the body
- To decrease blood clots
- Antibiotics to treat the infection
- Surgery
- Oxygen
- Breathing machine if breathing problems occurs
- Blood transfusions
What can I expect while being treated?
- Blood tests as often as 6 times per day
- You may require pain killers and sleeping medicines
- Dialysis for kidney failure
- Other treatments that you will discuss with the ICU doctors and nurses.