R57.2: Septic shock

Septic shock is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that occurs as a severe response to an infection in the body. It is a serious development of sepsis, a condition where the body's immune response to fight an infection inadvertently causes widespread inflammation. This inflammation can lead to blood clot formation and circulatory system abnormalities, which in turn can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure known as shock. With septic shock, your blood pressure drops dangerously low, affecting the function of your organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys, and can cause them to fail. Common symptoms include decreased mental function, decrease in urine output, changes in the function of the heart, and difficulty breathing. This condition progresses rapidly and requires immediate medical attention to manage. Without prompt treatment, septic shock can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

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