Introduction to Bacteremia, Sepsis, and Septic Shock

 Introduction to Bacteremia, Sepsis, and Septic Shock

 By Paul M. Maggio, MD, MBA, Stanford University Medical Center

Last full review/revision Feb 2020| Content last modified Feb 2020 

 

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Bacteremia, sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock are related:

• Bacteremia: Bacteria are present in the bloodstream. Bacteremia can result from a serious infection or from something as harmless as vigorous toothbrushing. Most often, only a small number of bacteria are present, and they are removed by the body on its own. In such cases, most people have no symptoms. However, occasionally, bacteremia leads to infections, sepsis, or both.

• Sepsis: Bacteremia or another infection triggers a serious bodywide response (sepsis), which typically includes fever, weakness, a rapid heart rate, a rapid breathing rate, and an increased number of white blood cells. The response also affects many internal organs, such as the kidneys, heart, and lungs, which begin to fail.

• Septic shock: Sepsis that causes dangerously low blood pressure (shock) is called septic shock. As a result, internal organs typically receive too little blood, causing them to malfunction. Septic shock is life threatening.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version