Septic Shock

Septic shock is  a crucial medical condition that can happen when an infection in your body causes extremely low blood pressure and organ failure due to sepsis. It is the last and most treacherous stage of sepsis. It can be divided into 3 stages, which are sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. Sepsis is life-threatening. It occurs when your immune system overreacts to an infection. Severe sepsis is when sepsis causes your organs to malfunction. This is usually because of low blood pressure, a result of inflammation throughout the body. Septic shock is the last stage of sepsis and is defined by extremely low blood pressure, in spite of lots of IV (intravenous) fluids. The signs of this disease are 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 sepsis turns to septic shock, the signs are very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, little or no urine output, heart palpitations, cool and pale limb and skin rash. Any infection can lead to sepsis which can then develop into septic shock if it worsens. Not every infection will lead to sepsis or septic shock. But, if an infection causes enough inflammation, it can develop into sepsis. Most of the common infections are from bacteria, but both viruses and fungi can also cause infections and sepsis. Infections can start anywhere but commonly begin in your lungs, bladder or stomach. The risk factors of septic shocks are newborns, people who are above 65 years old, pregnant women, individuals who use recreational drugs and people with artificial joints or heart valves. People with chronic medical conditions have an increased risk of sepsis. These conditions consist of AIDs, diabetes, leukemia or lymphoma, and immune disorders. In addition, people who’ve had recent infections, surgeries, transplants or medical devices implanted have an increased risk of sepsis. Septic shock can lead to brain damage, lung failure, heart failure, kidney failure, Gangrene and death. To hinder septic shock, healthy lifestyle is needed. Thank you.