What Is Sepsis Shock?
Sepsis shock, or septic shock, is when there is a dangerous drop in blood pressure after an infection. Septic shock happens subsequent to sepsis, which is when the body over-reacts to an infection.
In this article we explore sepsis and septic shock in more detail, explaining the process body goes through in each condition. We also explain what causes sepsis and septic shock.
Difference between sepsis and septic shock
Sepsis and septic shock are closely linked, although they are slightly different, as described below:
Sepsis
Sepsis is when the immune system over-reacts to an infection, leading to inflammation and clots across the body. This may be a bacterial, viral for fungal infection.
The symptoms of sepsis will develop quickly and include fever, increased heart rate and fast breathing. There may also be dizziness, vomiting and confusion.
Sepsis must be treated immediately with antibiotics or serious complications such as septic shock will ensue. If the vital organs are affected, the condition can be fatal.
Septic shock
Septic shock is when an infection causes the blood pressure to drop to a dangerously low level. It is preceded by sepsis, which is when an infection spreads to the blood.
Septic shock occurs because sepsis compromises the heart's ability to pump blood to the organs, resulting in low blood pressure.
It will lead to symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, diarrhoea and vomiting. Septic shock is a medical emergency and, if not treated in time, can lead to organ failure and death.
Septicaemia
Septicaemia or blood poisoning is a bacterial infection of the blood. It is exactly the same as sepsis, the only difference being that sepsis can also be caused by viral of fungal infections.
Sepsis leading to septic shock
A patient will first develop sepsis. If this is not managed, the patient will go on to develop septic shock.
Sepsis has only been identified by medical practitioners relatively recently. It is essentially when the body's immune system initiates an overwhelming response to an infection. This will not happen with every infection, but is more likely to affect people who:
With a 'normal' infection, the immune system will send clotting agents to the area of infection. The blood vessels will open up to allow the clotting agents (which are contained in the blood) into the tissues. This will work to contain the infection and kill the bad bacteria.
But when sepsis happens, the immune system over-reacts and blood vessels across the body open up to allow blood into the tissues. This results in a number of side-effects, one of which is a drop in blood pressure. This is because the body will not be able to pump the blood around the body properly. The vital organs will become deprived of blood and oxygen, and will not be able to function. Multi-system organ failure can be fatal.
When the blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level, a patient has septic shock.
How long does it take for septic shock to occur?
Sepsis is a very fast-moving condition. The patient can reach a state of septic shock and organ failure within hours of sepsis developing.
Thus the best strategy when treating sepsis is early detection. If a patient is not diagnosed and supported with medical care, the septic response will continue to ravage through the body. The patient will deteriorate rapidly, and will go into shock potentially within hours. Even a one hour delay in providing antibiotics can increase mortality rates.
Diagnosing and treating sepsis
To prevent the life-threatening complications associated with septic shock, the patient's sepsis must be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
A diagnosis is based upon a patient's symptoms. There are tests that can be conducted, but conclusive results may not be available until the following day. There is no time to waste where sepsis is concerned, so treatment should be started empirically – meaning before a diagnosis has been verified.
Treatment will involve antibiotics and supporting the organs. If the patient has progressed to septic shock, further treatment may be needed, such as oxygen, intravenous fluids, medication to increase blood pressure and, in some cases, dialysis, blood transfusion and mechanical ventilation.
Sepsis awareness
The best defence against sepsis is awareness. There has been a huge drive recently to raise awareness of sepsis. The issue has featured regularly in the media, with the charity UK Sepsis Trust emphasising just how many sepsis deaths there are each year. It is estimated that sepsis claims around 37,000 lives in the UK every year. The charity suggests 12,500 of these are preventable.
The fact that 12,500 people are dying needlessly of sepsis every year is truly shocking. It also leads to the question: why are so many people dying unnecessarily? Experts suggest that it is in part due to the aggressive nature of the condition, and in part due to poor vigilance amongst medical staff.
Indeed, a diagnosis of sepsis is based largely upon a patient's symptoms. Therefore medical practitioners must recognise a patient who is displaying signs of sepsis and proceed with caution. Action should be taken immediately to confirm whether sepsis is present and to provide the appropriate treatment.
Failure to detect sepsis shock
If medical practitioners fail to diagnose a patient with sepsis and he/she goes on to suffer the life-threatening complications associated with septic shock, there could be a case of medical negligence. This is because medical professionals should be able to detect sepsis and treat a patient before they go into septic shock. If they fail to do this, the standard of care will be unacceptable. If the patient is harmed as a result, there will be a case of medical negligence.
To talk to a legal expert about sepsis claims, please contact us at Glynns Solicitors today. We have a specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers who can offer professional advice. All initial enquiries are free of charge and obligation.
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