Septic Shock

Septic shock…the number one killer in the Intensive Care Unit, according to research. Sepsis is a serious medical condition which results to multiple organ failure, and eventually, death. It is caused by a decreased tissue perfusion and oxygen supply to the body as a result of bacterial infection. The bacteria spreads to the bloodstream, a condition called bacteremia. Toxins are then released by these bacteria which cause cells in the body to release substances that trigger inflammation. The body’s response to infection causes an abnormally high temperature with chills and weakness. Blood flow to vital organs such as the kidneys, lungs, heart, and brain decreases. As it gets worse, body organs begin to malfunction and blood pressure drops. Treatment should not be delayed. There must be immediate administration of antibiotics, oxygen, and large amounts of intravenous fluids to increase the amount of fluid in the bloodstream, thus increasing the blood pressure.

I can attest to this because my mom, too, was once a victim of sepsis. More than a year ago, my mom had cellulitis, an infection of the skin and underlying tissues. For days, she experienced fever, chills, and redness on her right leg, and eventually it became painful. She didn’t give it much attention until such time that she can’t bear the pain on her leg and she began to really feel weak and sick. We admitted her to the hospital and just a few hours had passed, she became so weak and almost had no life. Her blood pressure went down to 70/50 mmHg. She was delivered to the intensive care unit and was found out that she already had sepsis. She was given strong doses of antibiotics, albumin, oxygen, and different fluids intravenously. She endured such grave condition for almost a month in the ICU.

Looking back, it is truly a pain to remember such ordeal. But I guess that I should rather be glad that it had already passed and my mom bravely surpassed it.