Septic shock facts for kids

Septic shock is a very serious medical problem. It happens when a severe infection in the body, called sepsis, gets much worse. When someone has septic shock, their blood circulation (how blood moves around the body) can change or even stop working properly. This means the body's organs don't get enough blood and oxygen.

Because it's so dangerous, septic shock is a medical emergency. People who have it usually need to be treated in an intensive care unit (ICU) at a hospital, where doctors and nurses can watch them very closely.

What is Septic Shock?

Septic shock is a life-threatening condition. It's caused by the body's extreme reaction to an infection. When an infection spreads throughout the body, it can damage tissues and organs. This damage can make blood vessels leak or widen too much. When this happens, blood pressure drops very low, and blood can't reach all parts of the body as it should.

How is Septic Shock Treated?

Treating septic shock is a race against time. Doctors usually follow a few main steps to help the patient:

• Stabilizing Blood Circulation: The first step is to get the blood flowing normally again. Doctors often give lots of fluids through an IV (a tube into a vein). They might also give medicines to help raise blood pressure.
• Treating the Infection: Since an infection causes septic shock, doctors need to fight it. They usually give strong antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. Sometimes, they might need to find and remove the source of the infection, like draining an abscess.
• Helping Organs Recover: Septic shock can harm organs like the kidneys or lungs. Doctors will work to support these organs. This might involve using machines to help a person breathe or to clean their blood if their kidneys are not working.

Images for kids

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  This image shows small red spots on the hand. This can happen when blood platelets are low in someone with septic shock.

See also

In Spanish: Choque séptico para niños