Septic Shock Symptoms

Septic Shock Signs And Symptoms
The following are the most common symptoms associated with septic shock or sepsis.

• A rapid increase in the rate of breathing.
• Tiny red spots all over the body/skin rash.
• Dizziness.
• Disorientation.
• Little or absolutely no urination.
• Shortness of breath.
• Fever, often accompanied by shivers and chills.
• An increase in the heart rate.
• Palpitation.
• Diarrhea.
• Low or lowered blood pressure.
• Severe pain in the joints.
• Cool or pale extremities in the body.
• The skin of the patient may turn blue, a deviation from the normal that is the result of lack of oxygen.
• Breathing difficulty, where the patient finds it extremely difficult to do something as simple as breathe.
• A severe symptom includes a steep decrease in the temperature of the patient. Here, the temperature of the patient falls way below the ‘normal temperature’. 

• Before dishing out treatment to a supposed patient, septic shock is first diagnosed with a series of blood tests to help determine the presence of infectious agents, the count of white blood cells and the level of oxygen.
• Apart from blood tests, the patient’s sputum, spinal fluid, and urine are tested to determine the occurrence of septic shock. CT Scans and chest X-rays too help identify the affected organs.
• Based on the results of all the above tests, the patient will receive treatment to help him/her or cope with septic shock.
• Treatment can vary from oxygen administration or mechanical ventilation with the assistance of a breathing machine.
• The patient will be given varying dosages of antibiotics and an intravenous administration of fluids and a series of other medications.
• At times, patient is also treated with the administration of drotrecogin alfa. Drotrecogin alfa is nothing but activated protein C. Activated protein C is usually used to counter the effects of both inflammation and blood clotting. The drug is only administered in case of a severe septic shock.