Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to a severe infection. The inflammatory response triggers a rapid cascade of events, such as leaking blood vessels and impaired blood flow.
Severe sepsis is associated with a drop in blood pressure. Low blood pressure reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients going to the body's organs. This drop causes damage the body's major organs.
Septic shock occurs when adequate blood pressure can't be restored despite treatment with IV fluids. Septic shock may lead to multiple organ failure and death.
Septic shock is caused by an infection that overwhelms the body. Sepsis can be triggered by many different kinds of infections including:
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Septic shock is more common in infants and in people over 50 years old. Other factors that may increase your chance of septic shock include:
Septic shock may cause:
Complications from septic shock may cause symptoms of:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include the following:
Sepsis and septic shock require immediate care. Treatment includes the following:
If you have septic shock, you will be admitted to the intensive care unit. There you will be given:
If your lungs fail, you may be put on a mechanical ventilator to help you breathe. Other therapies or supportive measures may be used.
Once the cause of the infection is identified, you will be given high doses of one or more antibiotics or antifungal medications.
Surgery may be performed to remove any dead tissue.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Society of Critical Care Medicine
Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians
Behrman RE, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2007.
Dellinger RP, Levy MM, et al. Surviving sepsis campaign: international guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock: 2012. Crit Care Med. 2013;41(2):580-637.
Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Internal Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008.
Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine.7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc.; 2009.
Sepsis and septic shock. The Merck Manual Professional Edition website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/critical_care_medicine/sepsis_and_septic_shock/sepsis_and_septic_shock.html. Updated July 2013. Accessed December 30, 2013.
Sepsis fact sheet. National Institute of General Medical Sciences website. Available at: http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Pages/factsheet_sepsis.aspx. Updated November 2012. Accessed December 30, 2013.
Sepsis in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated October 28, 2013. Accessed December 30, 2013.
Sepsis treatment in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated December 28, 2013. Accessed December 30, 2013.
Last reviewed December 2014 by Michael Woods, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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