Sepsis and septic shock

Global core

Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated response to infection. Septic shock is sepsis with circulatory failure that needs a vasopressor to maintain pressure after adequate fluid, with a high lactate. Source control and an antimicrobial aimed at the likely source are urgent. The exact clock, fluid volume, and drug are local and are not invented here.

What stays the same

• Infection plus organ failure is sepsis. Circulatory failure after fluid is septic shock.
• Airway, breathing, and circulation come before the organism's name.
• Cultures are useful only when they do not delay treatment.
• The clock, the fluid volume, and the drug list are local.

1. Recognize. Fever or hypothermia, confusion, fast breathing, mottled skin, or a known source.
2. Reason. Hypotension after infection is shock until proven otherwise. Look for the source that must be drained.
3. Prioritize. Airway, breathing, and circulation before a complete diagnostic label.
4. Act safely. Give oxygen if hypoxic, fluid if hypovolemic, take cultures when this does not delay treatment, and start a suitable antimicrobial.

Local adaptation

No sourced local note is attached to this topic. That is not a statement that every country manages it the same way. The shared principle above is what this beta is willing to teach.

Exam lens

The first hour of care, and which source must be controlled.