What happens to your body when it goes into septic shock?

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a condition that occurs when an infection in the body reaches the bloodstream and triggers inflammation. The infection can be bacterial, fungal, or viral.

It causes tiny blood clots to occur in the blood stream which prevents the smooth flow of blood to different organs in the body. It can be dangerous and quite often fatal. It is an emergency medical condition and needs immediate medical care/hospitalization.

The stages of sepsis

• Stage 1 – Sepsis – The infection reaches the bloodstream and triggers inflammation.
• Stage 2 – Severe sepsis – The infection is severe enough to affect normal functioning of the organs.
• Stage 3 – Septic shock – There is a drop in blood pressure and the patient goes into respiratory failure or heart failure, stroke, or even multiple organ failure.

Symptoms of septic shock

Very high fever (<101˚F)
Hypothermia
A decrease or lack of urine output
Disorientation and dizziness
Respiratory problems
Blue discoloration on lips, fingers, toes
Very low blood pressure
Palpitations
Loss of consciousness

Who are at most risk for sepsis?

Older people, newborns and pregnant women
People with repressed immune systems due to HIV, lupus, RA, etc
People undergoing IBD or cancer treatments
People recovering from surgeries
Those who have been hospitalized for a long time
Diabetic patients who are dependent  on insulin injection.
People exposed to infected medical apparatus

What happens to your body during a septic shock?

When you get an infection, your body fights back by releasing chemicals into the bloodstream. This helps your body to kill the bacteria or virus. If you contract sepsis, your body turns against you and the same chemicals that were released to fight the infection trigger inflammation which impair blood flow to the body’s organs thus inducing damage to the organs and possible organ failure.

Antibiotics, IV fluids, preventive and supportive  treatment have to be given immediately to control the sepsis. The recovery will depend on how swiftly the treatment is given and how good the support is. It is important to find a hospital that offers a complete intensive care treatment and is geared for any kind of organ failure or emergency.

 

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801