Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Organ dysfunction resulting from a dysregulated systemic host response to infection separates sepsis from uncomplicated infection. The etiology is mainly bacterial and pneumonia is the most common known source. Patients commonly present with fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, and/or altered mentation. Septic shock is diagnosed during treatment when vasopressors are necessary to control hypotension. Sepsis and septic shock are medical emergencies and antibiotics are given within an hour of diagnosis.

Shock is a life-threatening condition associated with impaired circulation that results in tissue hypoxia. The different types of shock are based on the underlying cause: distributive (↑ cardiac output (CO), ↓ systemic vascular resistance (SVR)), cardiogenic (↓ CO, ↑ SVR), hypovolemic (↓ CO, ↑ SVR), obstructive (↓ CO), and mixed. The most common symptoms include tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, altered mentation, and oliguria. Treatment measures vary depending on the suspected cause of shock and may include mechanical ventilation, IV crystalloids, vasopressors, and blood transfusion.

COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus disease, is a respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2). Transmission mainly occurs via direct contact or aerosol droplets. The disease may present asymptomatically or with fever and dry cough.