BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSeptic shockBacteremic shock; Endotoxic shock; Septicemic shock; Warm shockSeptic shock is a serious condition that occurs when a body-wide infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure. Causes Septic shock occurs most often in the very old and the very young. It may also occur in people with weakened immune systems. Any type of bacteria can cause septic shock. Fungi and (rarely) viruses may also cause the condition. Toxins released by the bacteria or fungi may cause tissue damage. This may lead to low blood pressure and poor organ function. Some researchers think that blood clots in small arteries cause the lack of blood flow and poor organ function. The body has a strong inflammatory response to the toxins that may contribute to organ damage.Risk factors for septic shock include:Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diseases of the genitourinary system, biliary system, or intestinal system Biliary systemThe biliary system creates, moves, stores, and releases bile into the duodenum. This helps the body digest food. It also assists in transporting wa...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diseases that weaken the immune system, such as AIDS Indwelling catheters (those that remain in place for extended periods, especially intravenous lines and urinary catheters, and plastic and metal stents used for drainage) Leukemia Long-term use of antibiotics Lymphoma Recent infection Recent surgery or medical procedure Recent or current use of steroid medicines Solid organ or bone marrow transplantation Symptoms Septic shock can affect any part of the body, including the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and intestines. Symptoms may include:Cool, pale arms and legs High or very low temperature, chills Lightheadedness Little or no urine Little or no urineDecreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 milliliters of urine in 24 hours (a little over ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Low blood pressure, especially when standing Palpitations Rapid heart rate Restlessness, agitation, lethargy, or confusion AgitationAgitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Shortness of breath Skin rash or discoloration Decreased mental status and confusionDecreased mental statusDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Blood tests may be done to check for:Infection around the body Complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry Complete blood count (CBC)A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Presence of bacteria or other organisms Low blood oxygen level Disturbances in the body's acid-base balance Poor organ function or organ failure Other tests may include:A chest x-ray to look for pneumonia or fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) A urine sample to look for infection Additional studies, such as blood cultures, may not become positive for several days after the blood has been taken, or for several days after the shock has developed.Blood culturesA blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other germs in a blood sample.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Septic shock is a medical emergency. In most cases, people are admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital.Treatment may include:Breathing machine (mechanical ventilation) Dialysis Drugs to treat low blood pressure, infection, or blood clotting High volume of fluids given directly into a vein (intravenously) Oxygen Sedatives Surgery to drain infected areas, if needed Antibiotics or other agents to treat viral or fungal infectionsThe pressure in the heart and lungs may be checked. This is called hemodynamic monitoring. This can only be done with special equipment and intensive care nursing. Outlook (Prognosis) Septic shock has a high death rate. The death rate depends on the person's age and overall health, the cause of the infection, how many organs have failed, and how quickly and aggressively medical therapy is started. Possible Complications Respiratory failure, cardiac failure, or any other organ failure can occur. Gangrene may occur, possibly leading to amputation.Cardiac failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Go directly to an emergency department if you develop symptoms of septic shock. Prevention Prompt treatment of bacterial infections is helpful. Vaccination could help prevent some infections. However, many cases of septic shock cannot be prevented.Open ReferencesReferencesRussell JA. Shock syndromes related to sepsis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 100.van der Poll T, Wiersinga WJ. Sepsis and septic shock. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 73.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Diabetes(Condition)Biliary system(Special Topic)Meningococcemia(Condition)Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome(Condition)Heart failure(Condition)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth)Heart failure - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 12/6/2021 Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron Jr. Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Septic shockBacteremic shock; Endotoxic shock; Septicemic shock; Warm shockSeptic shock is a serious condition that occurs when a body-wide infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure. Causes Septic shock occurs most often in the very old and the very young. It may also occur in people with weakened immune systems. Any type of bacteria can cause septic shock. Fungi and (rarely) viruses may also cause the condition. Toxins released by the bacteria or fungi may cause tissue damage. This may lead to low blood pressure and poor organ function. Some researchers think that blood clots in small arteries cause the lack of blood flow and poor organ function. The body has a strong inflammatory response to the toxins that may contribute to organ damage.Risk factors for septic shock include:Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diseases of the genitourinary system, biliary system, or intestinal system Biliary systemThe biliary system creates, moves, stores, and releases bile into the duodenum. This helps the body digest food. It also assists in transporting wa...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diseases that weaken the immune system, such as AIDS Indwelling catheters (those that remain in place for extended periods, especially intravenous lines and urinary catheters, and plastic and metal stents used for drainage) Leukemia Long-term use of antibiotics Lymphoma Recent infection Recent surgery or medical procedure Recent or current use of steroid medicines Solid organ or bone marrow transplantation Symptoms Septic shock can affect any part of the body, including the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and intestines. Symptoms may include:Cool, pale arms and legs High or very low temperature, chills Lightheadedness Little or no urine Little or no urineDecreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 milliliters of urine in 24 hours (a little over ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Low blood pressure, especially when standing Palpitations Rapid heart rate Restlessness, agitation, lethargy, or confusion AgitationAgitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Shortness of breath Skin rash or discoloration Decreased mental status and confusionDecreased mental statusDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Blood tests may be done to check for:Infection around the body Complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry Complete blood count (CBC)A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Presence of bacteria or other organisms Low blood oxygen level Disturbances in the body's acid-base balance Poor organ function or organ failure Other tests may include:A chest x-ray to look for pneumonia or fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) A urine sample to look for infection Additional studies, such as blood cultures, may not become positive for several days after the blood has been taken, or for several days after the shock has developed.Blood culturesA blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other germs in a blood sample.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Septic shock is a medical emergency. In most cases, people are admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital.Treatment may include:Breathing machine (mechanical ventilation) Dialysis Drugs to treat low blood pressure, infection, or blood clotting High volume of fluids given directly into a vein (intravenously) Oxygen Sedatives Surgery to drain infected areas, if needed Antibiotics or other agents to treat viral or fungal infectionsThe pressure in the heart and lungs may be checked. This is called hemodynamic monitoring. This can only be done with special equipment and intensive care nursing. Outlook (Prognosis) Septic shock has a high death rate. The death rate depends on the person's age and overall health, the cause of the infection, how many organs have failed, and how quickly and aggressively medical therapy is started. Possible Complications Respiratory failure, cardiac failure, or any other organ failure can occur. Gangrene may occur, possibly leading to amputation.Cardiac failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Go directly to an emergency department if you develop symptoms of septic shock. Prevention Prompt treatment of bacterial infections is helpful. Vaccination could help prevent some infections. However, many cases of septic shock cannot be prevented.Open ReferencesReferencesRussell JA. Shock syndromes related to sepsis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 100.van der Poll T, Wiersinga WJ. Sepsis and septic shock. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 73.