Septic Shock

Presentation

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
• Light-headedness
• Little or no urine
• Low blood pressure, especially when standing
• Palpitations
• Rapid heart rate
• Restlessness, agitation, lethargy, or confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Skin rash or discoloration

(Hadjiliadis D. 2014.)

Causes

• Sepsis can be caused by any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Sepsis commonly originates from:

1. -       Abdominal or digestive system infections
2. -       Lung infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, or lower respiratory tract infections.
3. -       Urinary tract infection
4. -       Reproductive system infection

• This condition is especially prevalent in newborns, older people, pregnant women, and those with suppressed immune systems such as HIV or cancer patients.
• The following factors can also make it more likely that a person develop septic shock:

1. -       Major surgery or long-term hospitalization (increased risk of bacteria)
2. -       Diabetes Mellitus
3. -       Injection drug use
4. -       ICU patients
5. -       Exposure to invasive devices such as IV catheters or breathing tubes, which can introduce bacteria into the body

(Johnson S.)

Investigations

• Blood tests to check for:

-       Infection around the body

-       Low blood oxygen level

-       Disturbances in the body's acid-base balance

-       Poor organ function or organ failure

• Other tests:

-       Chest x-ray to look for pneumonia or pulmonary edema

-       Urine sample to look for infection

(Hadjiliadis D. 2014.)

Stepwise Management

• 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

 (Hadjiliadis D. 2014.)

REFERENCES

Hadjiliadis D. 2014. Medline Plus.  Medline Plus. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000668.htm [Accessed 27^th April 15].

Johnson S. (nd.) Healthline. [ONLINE] Available at:  http://www.healthline.com/health/septic-shock#CausesandRiskFactors3 [Accessed 27^th April 15].