Septic shock

Septic shock

Septic shock is a serious condition that occurs when a body-wide infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure.

Causes

1. Weakened immune systems.

2. Any type of bacteria.

3. Fungi, Viruses.

Risk factors

• Diabetes.

• Diseases that weaken the immune system, such as AIDS
• Indwelling catheters
• Leukemia
• Long-term use of antibiotics
• Lymphoma
• Recent surgery or medical procedure

Signs and Symptoms

• Cool, pale arms and legs
• High or very low temperature, chills
• Light-headedness
• Little or no urine
• Low blood pressure, especially when standing
• Palpitations
• Restlessness
• Shortness of breath

Investigations

1. Blood tests  - to check,  

•   Infection around the body

• Low blood oxygen level
• Disturbances in the body's acid-base balance
• Poor organ function or organ failure

2. A chest x-ray to look for pneumonia or pulmonary edema

3. A urine sample to look for infection.

Treatments

• Breathing machine (mechanical ventilation)
• Dialysis
• Drugs to treat low blood pressure, infection, or blood clotting
• Fluids given directly into a vein (intravenously)
• Oxygen
• Sedatives
• Surgery

REFERENCES

• A. Kalil, M. R. Pinsky. (2015, 04 17). Septic Shock . Retrieved 05 09, 2015, from medscape : http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/168402-overview

• D.Hadjiliadis. (2014, 08 02). Septic shock. Retrieved 05 09, 2015, from MedlinePlus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000668.htm

• Holst LB, Haase N, Wetterslev J, Wernerman J, Guttormsen AB, Karlsson S, et al. Lower versus higher hemoglobin threshold for transfusion in septic shock. N Engl J Med. Oct 9 2014;371(15):1381-91. [Medline].

• Solomkin JS, Mazuski JE, Bradley JS, Rodvold KA, Goldstein EJ, Baron EJ, et al. Diagnosis and management of complicated intra-abdominal infection in adults and children: guidelines by the Surgical Infection Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. Jan 15 2010;50(2):133-64. [Medline].