Septic Shock: How to Avoid this Medical Emergency

Date: Jul-11-2016 Septic shock is a serious and potentially fatal condition. It occurs when an overwhelming infection leads to life-threatening low blood pressure.

When blood pressure is low, people do not get blood flow to their vital organs. This causes significant injury and eventually organ failure.

Septic shock is most common in people who are already affected by illnesses that weaken the immune system. Septic shock can be caused by an infection in any part of the body that is left untreated.

The infection will first cause a response from the body known as sepsis.

Contents of this article:

What are sepsis and septic shock?

Causes and risk factors

Tests and diagnosis

Treatment and prevention of septic shock

What are sepsis and septic shock?

Sepsis occurs as a result of a complication of an infection within the body. Chemicals are released into the bloodstream and set off inflammatory responses throughout the body. These responses trigger many changes that can damage multiple organ systems, causing them to fail.

Septic shock occurs when an infection in the body progresses and blood pressure drops.

If sepsis progresses, it leads to septic shock.

There is no single set of symptoms for sepsis, but people can experience any of the following:

Signs of infection such as diarrhea, vomiting, or a sore throat

Changes in urination

Shortness of breath

Shivering, fever, or cold

Extreme pain or general discomfort

Pale or discolored skin

Rashes

Unexplained confusion or disorientation

Septic shock and other complications of sepsis

As sepsis worsens, blood flow to the body's vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys is affected. Blood clots may form which can lead to organ failure, tissue death, or gangrene. Inflammation can also lead to bleeding and damage to the blood vessels.

A diagnosis of sepsis also places patients at a higher risk of infections in the future.

The more severe the inflammatory response, the weaker the immune system is and the more prone to infections a person becomes.

One of the main areas affected is the heart. The chemicals reduce the heart's ability to pump blood properly to the body's organs which results in significantly lower blood pressure.

The body's blood vessels are also damaged and leak proteins. Fluid and proteins leaving the blood vessels also cause low blood pressure.

Once blood pressure drops and stops responding to fluid treatment, septic shock occurs.

Causes of sepsis

The most common cause of sepsis is bacterial infection. If bacteria find their way through the skin and into the bloodstream, harmful infections can occur.

Older adults are more at risk of sepsis than other people.

Sepsis can also occur as a result of an infection in one of the organs such as a urinary tract infection or lung infection. Fungi and viruses can also lead to sepsis. Their involvement is rare but more common in patients with weakened immune systems.

A few of the most common conditions that can lead to sepsis include pneumonia, abdominal, kidney, and bloodstream infections.

Certain groups are more at risk from sepsis:

People who are very young or old

Those who have a compromised immune system such as people with HIV or AIDS or those receiving chemotherapy

People who are already sick or have long-term health conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure

Those who have open wounds, injuries, or burns

Those who have medical devices inserted such as intravenous catheters or breathing tubes

Diagnosis of sepsis

Sepsis is a two-stage syndrome. It is best to treat sepsis in its early stages before it progresses and becomes more dangerous.

Sepsis

To be diagnosed with sepsis, an individual must have at least two of the following underlying symptoms as well as a confirmed infection:

A body temperature above 101°F or below 98.6°F

A heart rate that is higher than 90 beats per minute

Their respiratory rate must be higher than 20 breaths per minute

A white blood cell count lower than 4,000 or greater than 12,000

Septic shock

This is the final stage of sepsis. To be diagnosed with septic shock, the individual must have all of the signs and symptoms of sepsis. In addition to extremely low blood pressure, the body must also not respond to simple fluid replacement.

Identifying sepsis early is very important. However, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint because its symptoms are similar to those of other disorders.

There is no specific test that confirms the diagnosis of sepsis. It requires a collection of different findings to make the diagnosis. Sepsis can sometimes be missed by doctors without experience.

Blood tests: A sample of blood is drawn from two different sites in the body and tested for evidence of infection.

Urine tests: If the doctor thinks that a patient has a urinary tract infection, they may ask for a urine sample to check for bacteria.

Wound secretions: The doctor may test a small sample of liquid from a wound to help work out the best antibiotic to use for a wound that could be infected.

Respiratory secretions: Individuals who are coughing up mucus may have it tested to see exactly what type of germ has caused the infection.

For some people, the exact site of the infection may not be exactly obvious. Imaging scans such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), and ultrasounds can be used to help identify the areas that are infected.

Treatment and prevention of septic shock

Sepsis is a very serious illness, and aggressive treatment is key to survival. People who are infected require close monitoring, treatment, and hospitalization.

Sepsis is a very serious condition that should be treated as soon as possible.

Studies have shown that delaying the administration of antibiotics on an hourly basis leads to a higher risk of death. Sepsis is a very severe illness, and if anyone who thinks they may have it must seek immediate medical attention.

Medications used to treat sepsis include:

Antibiotics: Treatment must begin within the first 6 hours. These drugs are given directly into a vein. After the results of the blood tests, the doctor may need to switch to an antibiotic better fitted to treat the bacteria causing the infection.

Vasopressors: These are used if the patient's blood pressure fails to rise and remains too low after receiving fluids. Vasopressor medication can help to tighten the blood vessels and increase blood pressure.

Additional medications include corticosteroids, insulin to stabilize blood sugar levels, and drugs to alter the immune system response. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the infection and collect the pus or abscesses.

People with severe sepsis may need supportive care such as oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and fluids to the veins. Depending on the severity, some individuals may also have to undergo dialysis due to kidney failure.

There are a few things that people can do to help reduce their chances of developing sepsis which can lead to septic shock.

Get vaccinated against the flu, pneumonia, and other infections that could potentially lead to sepsis

Practice good hygiene such as bathing regularly, and thoroughly clean any scrapes and wounds to help prevent infection

Look for signs of infection such as fever, chills, rapid breathing, rash, or confusion

Control diabetes

Quit smoking

Sepsis is deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it kills more than 258,000 Americans each year and is the ninth leading cause of disease-related deaths. Understand the signs and symptoms for better protection.

Written by Brian Wu

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.