Why septic shock

Both both sepsis and septic shock can happen to anyone. Septic shock is a severe complication of sepsis that can include very low blood pressure , an altered mental state, and organ dysfunction. It has a hospital mortality rate of 30—50 percent , making it very dangerous if not treated quickly.

The earlier sepsis is diagnosed, the quicker doctors can treat it and attempt to keep it from turning into septic shock. Sepsis is a medical emergency, but in the beginning, its symptoms can often mimic the symptoms of other issues, such as a cold or fever. The transition from the onset of sepsis to severe sepsis and septic shock can happen quickly, and once the condition has transitioned, the mortality rate can increases.

The symptoms of severe sepsis and septic shock can overlap, and can include:. Sepsis can result from a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. Certain factors such as age or prior illness can put you at greater risk for developing septic shock.

The people who are more vulnerable to sepsis include newborns, older adults, pregnant people, and those with suppressed immune systems due to HIV , autoimmune conditions , cirrhosis of the liver , kidney disease , and cancer. The following factors could also make a sepsis diagnosis — and possibly septic shock — more likely:.

If you have symptoms of sepsis, your doctor or another hospital professional will conduct tests to determine how far along the infection is. Septic shock is typically diagnosed when the signs of severe sepsis are present, along with low blood pressure and signs of organ dysfunction. Septic shock can cause a variety of very dangerous and life threatening complications that can be fatal. Possible complications include:. The complications you may experience, and the outcome of your condition can depend on certain factors, such as:.

The earlier sepsis is diagnosed and treated, the less likely septic shock will develop, and the more likely you are to survive. Large amounts of intravenous IV fluids will likely be administered to treat dehydration and help increase blood pressure and blood flow to the organs. A respirator for breathing may also be necessary. As your heart pumps blood throughout your body, it produces a certain amount of pressure to help push the blood through the blood vessels.

The blood then delivers oxygen and nutrients to the organs and other body tissues. It also removes toxins. If you are hypotensive, your blood does not have enough force behind it to circulate properly throughout your body. Temporary hypotension, caused by dehydration, overheating, even psychological shock can cause dizziness, nausea, and fainting. Usually, those situations resolve when the cause is treated, and the blood pressure and blood flow throughout the body return to normal.

But when hypotension is extended, like in septic shock, the prolonged blood pressure drop can cause many complications. One of the most serious septic shock complications is organ damage. In some cases, the damage may only be temporary. For example, a person in septic shock may develop acute kidney injury.

The kidneys are not able to filter out the toxins from the blood. As the body heals, the kidneys may begin functioning again. But in many cases, organ damage is permanent. Another serious septic shock complication is tissue death gangrene that leads to amputations. Not only does hypotension reduce the blood flow to the less vital parts of the body, like the feet and hands, people with severe sepsis or septic shock can develop tiny blood clots in the blood vessels.

These clots can block blood that tries to reach the area, resulting in tissue death. Also, an episode of severe sepsis places you at higher risk of future infections. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection damages its own tissues. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Sepsis and septic shock. If a person with sepsis has low blood pressure that does not improve with fluid treatment, their body has gone into septic shock. They will need medications called vasopressors to keep their blood pressure high enough to get blood to their organs.

Without this treatment, insufficient blood flow can result in vital organs not getting enough oxygen and beginning to fail. Both sepsis and septic shock can be fatal.

A study of hospital admissions in California found that sepsis contributed to 1 in every 2 to 3 deaths. In addition, a review reported that in cases associated with septic shock, the mortality rate was around Septic shock may also lead to life-altering complications. These can include chronic pain, incorrectly functioning organs, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

There are a few steps that people can take to reduce their risk of developing sepsis and septic shock:. Septic shock is a severe illness. People with sepsis and septic shock require hospitalization and immediate treatment.

Studies have shown that even minor delays in treating severe sepsis and septic shock may increase the risk of death. Antibiotics: Treatment should begin within the first hour after diagnosis. The doctor will administer these drugs directly into a vein.

They will usually start treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics that act against most of the bacteria that could be causing the infection.

Once the blood test results have revealed which bacteria is responsible, the doctor will likely switch to a more specific antibiotic. Vasopressors: These medications are necessary to maintain adequate blood pressure in people with septic shock. A doctor will use these if blood pressure remains too low after a person receives fluids.