Septic shock

Any type of bacteria can cause the infection. Fungi such as candida and viruses can also be a cause, although this is rare.

At first the infection can lead to a reaction called sepsis. This begins with:

weakness chills a rapid heart and breathing rate

Left untreated, toxins produced by bacteria can damage the small blood vessels, causing them to leak fluid into the surrounding tissues.

This can affect your heart’s ability to pump blood to your organs, which lowers your blood pressure and means blood doesn’t reach vital organs, such as the brain and liver.

Phone 999 immediately if: You think that you or someone in your care has symptoms of septic shock like: low blood pressure (hypotension) that makes you feel dizzy when you stand up a change in your mental state, like confusion or disorientation diarrhoea nausea and vomiting cold, clammy and pale skin


At first the infection can lead to a reaction called sepsis. This begins with:

weakness chills a rapid heart and breathing rate

Left untreated, toxins produced by bacteria can damage the small blood vessels, causing them to leak fluid into the surrounding tissues.

This can affect your heart’s ability to pump blood to your organs, which lowers your blood pressure and means blood doesn’t reach vital organs, such as the brain and liver.

Phone 999 immediately if: You think that you or someone in your care has symptoms of septic shock like: low blood pressure (hypotension) that makes you feel dizzy when you stand up a change in your mental state, like confusion or disorientation diarrhoea nausea and vomiting cold, clammy and pale skin


weakness chills a rapid heart and breathing rate

Left untreated, toxins produced by bacteria can damage the small blood vessels, causing them to leak fluid into the surrounding tissues.

This can affect your heart’s ability to pump blood to your organs, which lowers your blood pressure and means blood doesn’t reach vital organs, such as the brain and liver.

Phone 999 immediately if: You think that you or someone in your care has symptoms of septic shock like: low blood pressure (hypotension) that makes you feel dizzy when you stand up a change in your mental state, like confusion or disorientation diarrhoea nausea and vomiting cold, clammy and pale skin