Did you know that approximately 1 in 3 people who die in a hospital have sepsis, and that it can lead to septic shock if not treated promptly? Understanding the difference between sepsis and septic shock is crucial when it comes to life-threatening conditions like this. Both are severe complications arising from infections, but they differ in terms of severity and the impact they have on the body. In this article, we’ll explore what is the difference between septic shock and sepsis, highlight key features of both conditions (the pathophysiology of sepsis and septic shock), and discuss treatment options, prevention strategies, and much more.
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. When the body detects an infection, it releases chemicals to fight it off. However, in sepsis, the body’s response goes haywire, causing widespread inflammation. This can lead to organ damage, poor circulation, and, in some cases, death. Sepsis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Common Causes of Sepsis
Sepsis can arise from a variety of infections, but it most commonly begins in the lungs (pneumonia), the urinary tract (urinary tract infections), the skin (wounds or infections), or the digestive system. Bacterial infections are the most frequent culprits, but fungi, viruses, and parasites can also cause sepsis.
Typical Symptoms of Sepsis
The symptoms of sepsis can range from mild to severe and include fever, chills, rapid heart rate, confusion, and low blood pressure. As the condition worsens, patients may experience difficulty breathing, decreased urine output, and organ dysfunction.
Stages of Sepsis Progression
Sepsis progresses in stages:
- Early Sepsis: The body exhibits signs of infection, but organ function is usually not severely compromised.
- Severe Sepsis: The infection causes organ dysfunction, with low blood pressure or difficulty breathing.
- Septic Shock: This is the most severe stage, where the body’s organs begin to fail, and blood pressure drops drastically, requiring urgent medical intervention.
What is Septic Shock?
Septic shock is a more advanced and life-threatening form of sepsis. It occurs when sepsis causes a significant drop in blood pressure, impairing circulation and reducing oxygen flow to the body’s organs. Without immediate intervention, septic shock can lead to organ failure, tissue damage, and death.
The time from sepsis to septic shock can also vary significantly depending on several factors, including the patient’s overall health, the severity of the infection, and how quickly the infection is identified and treated.
In some cases, sepsis can progress to septic shock within hours, especially if the infection is severe and not treated promptly. For others, it may take several days for the condition to worsen into septic shock.
Common Causes of Septic Shock
Like sepsis, septic shock is typically caused by infections from bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Pneumonia, abdominal infections, and urinary tract infections are some of the most common causes. In septic shock, the body’s response is much more severe, causing the blood vessels to widen and fluid to leak from the bloodstream, resulting in dangerously low blood pressure.
Common Symptoms of Septic Shock
The symptoms of septic shock are severe and include very low blood pressure that doesn’t respond to fluid replacement, confusion or altered mental state, cold or clammy skin, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. Septic shock can rapidly lead to organ failure, which is why immediate medical attention is critical.
Potential Outcomes and Complications if Septic Shock is Not Treated Promptly
If septic shock is not treated quickly, the consequences can be catastrophic. The lack of blood flow can cause organs like the kidneys, heart, and liver to fail. In severe cases, septic shock can lead to death. The longer septic shock goes untreated, the higher the risk of irreversible damage and fatal outcomes.
Key Differences Between Sepsis and Septic Shock (Severe Sepsis vs Septic Shock)
The difference between sepsis and septic shock lies in their severity and impact on the body. Here’s a closer look at how they differ:
Severity
Sepsis is a broad condition that represents the body’s extreme response to infection. Septic shock, on the other hand, is a more severe progression of sepsis, where blood pressure drops dramatically, and organ failure becomes imminent. Septic shock is considered a medical emergency requiring urgent intervention.
Symptoms
While both sepsis and septic shock share common symptoms—fever, rapid heart rate, confusion, and difficulty breathing—the defining feature of septic shock is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can’t be corrected with fluids. This leads to severe complications like organ failure.
Effects on the Body
Sepsis causes widespread inflammation, which can impair organ function and affect circulation. In septic shock, this inflammation becomes much more intense, resulting in reduced oxygen levels and blood flow to vital organs, increasing the risk of organ failure. Septic shock can also cause damage to tissues and blood vessels.
Mortality Rates
Septic shock has a significantly higher mortality rate compared to sepsis. According to studies, septic shock is responsible for a large percentage of deaths associated with sepsis, primarily due to its ability to cause rapid organ failure and severe disruptions to the body’s normal functions.
Diagnosing Sepsis vs. Septic Shock
Diagnosing sepsis vs. septic shock requires a thorough assessment of the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and lab results. Doctors typically perform blood tests, check vital signs, and look for signs of infection in the body. The key difference in diagnosis is the severity of blood pressure. If blood pressure remains dangerously low despite adequate fluid replacement, septic shock is diagnosed.
Imaging tests, like X-rays or CT scans, may also be used to identify the source of infection. Blood cultures help confirm the type of bacteria or pathogen responsible for the infection, which helps guide appropriate treatment.
Preventing Sepsis and Septic Shock
Prevention is always the best approach, especially with serious conditions like sepsis and septic shock. Here are some tips for reducing the risk:
- Timely treatment of infections: Seek medical care for infections, especially those involving the lungs, urinary tract, and abdominal area, as these are common sources of sepsis.
- Proper hygiene: Regular hand washing, proper wound care, and maintaining good hygiene can prevent infections from spreading.
- Vaccination: Vaccines that protect against pneumonia, influenza, and other infectious diseases can reduce the risk of sepsis.
- Prompt treatment of chronic conditions: Managing chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or kidney problems can lower the likelihood of developing severe infections.
Being proactive about infection prevention and seeking prompt medical care if you suspect an infection can help prevent the onset of sepsis or septic shock.
Getting Help When You Need It
Understanding the difference between sepsis and septic shock can be life-saving—this also includes recognizing the features of sepsis and septic shock, knowing how to prevent them, and seeking immediate treatment are all key to improving outcomes.
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of sepsis or septic shock, it’s critical to seek emergency medical care immediately. Look for the nearest emergency room. If you are in the Kingwood area, visit Aether Health for help. Sepsis and septic shock treatment requires fast action, including antibiotics, fluids, oxygen, and, in some cases, vasopressors to stabilize blood pressure.Aether Health’s emergency rooms are staffed with medical professionals who can diagnose and treat sepsis and septic shock quickly. For those in need of urgent care in the Kingwood area, visit our Emergency Room in Kingwood, TX for immediate assistance.
