Septic shock is a serious life threatening disease that can affect people of all age groups. When harmful bacteria infect your blood stream, various toxins are released. These dangerous substances begin to circulate inside your body.

In a healthy individual, the immune system will take swift action, kill the microorganisms and dispose the toxins. By doing so, it will try to control the infection in its initial stages.

In people who suffer from decreased immunity levels, the immune system will not be able to kill the bacteria. This will lead to an overload of toxins circulating in the body leading to “sepsis”. When sepsis is not treated immediately with proper medications, it can lead to a condition called “septic shock” that can turn out to be an extremely dangerous condition.

Septic shock will immediately cause a sudden drastic drop in your blood pressure, leading to coma and in some cases death when immediate treatment is not meted out. A drop in blood pressure will also affect vital organs like heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, brain and/or intestines. The high rate of mortality associated with septic shock speaks about the dangers associated with this condition.

What Causes Septic Shock?

Although bacteria are predominantly blamed for causing sepsis, in some cases, even virus and fungi present in the body can trigger an episode of septic shock.

Who Are Vulnerable?

Newborn babies and the elderly who have decreased immunity levels are easily susceptible. Kidney infections in patients, pregnant women, those suffering from liver diseases and immunity related disorders like HIV are also easily susceptible to septic shock.

Given the seriousness of this condition, recognizing the symptoms are crucial of receiving timely treatment. Listed below are five important septic shock symptoms.

Different Septic Shock Symptoms

Fluctuating Body Temperature

An extremely high or very low body temperature is a common symptom observed in patients suffering from septic shock. A body temperature of higher than 101.3 F or lower than 95 F is generally observed.

Abnormal Heart Beat

Toxins released by bacteria will interfere with the functioning of your heart, resulting in decreased blood pressure. This in turn will cause abnormal heartbeats and palpitations.

Fatigue

Septic shock leads to decreased blood circulation in your brain cells. Your brain will not be able to function normally, making you feel weak, tired lethargic, confused and hallucinated. Additionally, the toxins building up inside your body will cause several unwanted changes in other vital organs.

Fast Breathing

A drop in blood pressure will lead to decreased lung functioning because your lungs will not be getting enough blood supply. This in turn will make you breathless. This will directly alter the rates of respiration. As a last ditched attempt to inhale more oxygen for survival, your body will force you to breathe extremely quickly.

Decreased Urination

A decreased blood supply to kidneys automatically results in decreased kidney functioning. Your kidneys will not be able excrete waste substances or reabsorb useful nutrients. This will in turn lead to deceased urination, resulting in build up of toxic waste inside the body. Restlessness, changes in skin color and lightheadedness are a few other symptoms associated with septic shock.