If a serious bacterial infection develops in your blood, your body's immune system will react, causing symptoms throughout your body. This is known as sepsis.
If sepsis is not treated, septic shock may occur. This will cause your blood pressure to fall dramatically. The drop in blood pressure will affect the oxygen supply to major organs, including:
- heart
- brain
- kidneys
- liver
- intestines
The symptoms of sepsis
Most people with sepsis will have a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above. In some cases, you may have a low body temperature (hypothermia).
As well as a change in temperature, the initial symptoms of sepsis include:
- feeling weak
- chills that cause shaking
- a rapid heart rate
- rapid breathing
There may be other symptoms, depending on the type of infection you have and where in your body it started. Read more about the causes of septic shock.
As sepsis develops, you may feel restless, confused or lacking in energy. Other symptoms include:
- warm, flushed skin
- a very rapid heart rate
- a very rapid breathing rate
- urinating less and in smaller quantities than usual
- decreased blood pressure, particularly when standing
Severe sepsis
In the latter stages of sepsis, the symptoms become particularly severe. They include:
- a fall in body temperature below 36C (96.8F)
- severe shortness of breath
- skin that is cool and blotchy
- skin may turn blue due to reduced blood flow
- confusion or anxiety
- weakness
- unconsciousness
The reduced flow of blood may cause the tissue of vital organs, such as the liver or intestines, to die.
Septic shock
If the symptoms of sepsis are not treated or controlled effectively, it will lead to septic shock.
