Septic shock

Disease	Injury	Nutrition	Poison

Special Topic	Surgery	Symptoms	Test

Septic shock

Alternative Names:

Bacteremic shock; Endotoxic shock; Septicemic shock; Warm shock

Symptoms:

Fever, chills
Feeling light-headed
Shortness of breath
Palpitations
Cool, pale extremities
Elevated temperature
Restlessness, agitation, lethargy, or confusion

Some physical findings may be easily detected:

Rapid heart rate
Low blood pressure, especially when standing
Low urine output

Signs and tests:

Blood gases may reveal low oxygen concentration and acidosis
Blood cultures to detect infection
Blood pressure readings are low
Chest X-ray may reveal pneumonia or pulmonary edema
The blood count may reflect infection
Blood tests may reflect poor organ function or organ failure

Review Date: 1/25/2002
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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