The terms ‘Sepsis’ and ‘Septic Shock’ are related to harmful and dangerous organ dysfunction in the human body. Even though both the terms are related to the organ failure issue but there are many differences between them which will be discussed below. The Sepsis and Septic Shock differ in many aspects such as their definitions, symptoms, causes, complications, treatment, etc.
Sepsis vs Septic Shock
The main difference between Sepsis and Septic Shock is that their meanings or definitions are different from each other. Sepsis refers to the life-threatening issue that is caused due to an infection and this infection is initially caused due to the imbalance of some chemicals that are spread throughout the human body via the bloodstream to fight against the infection. On the other hand, Septic Shock refers to the infection in a human body that drastically drops the normal blood pressure to a very low level.
Sepsis refers to the dysfunction of the organs that are caused due to the chemical imbalance in the human body because of an infection. Sepsis can be a life-threatening issue, which is very severe and important to be cured on time if possible. Generally, its symptoms include several issues such as high fever, rise in the heart rate, sudden increase of breathing rate, etc. The main element that triggers Sepsis is infection.
On the other hand, Septic Shock refers to the sudden fall of blood pressure to a very lower level and further causes organ failure. Septic Shock is also a life-threatening issue. Septic Shock is also termed as a variant of Sepsis. Septic Shock directly damages various organs of the body. It triggers the normal blood pressure level of a human further causing organ damage. Generally, its symptoms include things such as dramatic fall of blood pressure, pale skin color, gradual decrease of urination, nausea, etc.
Comparison Table Between Sepsis and Septic Shock
| Parameters of Comparison | Sepsis | Septic Shock |
| Definition | The cause of organ damage in response to a severe infection in the human body is commonly known as Sepsis. | The cause of organ failure is caused due to a fall or low blood pressure is commonly known as Septic Shock. |
| Symptoms | Sepsis includes various symptoms such as high fever, rise in heart rate, sudden increase of breathing rate, etc. | The Septic Shock includes various symptoms such as drastic fall of blood pressure, pale skin color, gradual decrease of urination, nausea, etc. |
| Danger Level | The Sepsis is comparatively less dangerous or severe than the Septic Shock. | Septic Shock is the final stage of Sepsis, and hence it is comparatively dangerous. |
| Main Factor that Triggers the Issue | The main factor that triggers Sepsis is its infection which is generally caused by bacteria. | The main factor that triggers Septic Shock is the drastic fall of the normal blood pressure rate. |
| Diagnosis Systems/ Test | Sepsis is generally diagnosed by performing some blood tests, a systemic swelled response, etc. | Septic Shock is generally diagnosed by checking the systolic blood pressure is lower than 90mmHg or not. |
| Cause | The major cause of Sepsis is infection. | The major cause of Septic Shock is the last and severe stage of Sepsis. |
| The Risk Factors | Generally, an adult who is of the age 65 or more, low immune system, infant, pregnant patient, can easily come in contact with Sepsis. | Generally, a person with a low immune system, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver can easily come in contact with Septic Shock. |
| Treatment | Sepsis requires various kinds of treatments to cure and this includes treatments such as antibiotics, Vasopressors, medications that can raise the blood pressure, etc. | Septic Shock requires various kinds of treatments to cure and this includes treatments such as oxygen supplier machines, Dialysis, antibiotics, medications for BP, etc. |
| Deadly | Sepsis is sometimes or rarely leads to a patient’s death, therefore it has comparatively fewer risk factors of death. | Septic Shock patients have more chances of death as it damages the overall organs of the body. |
| Complications | Sepsis can damage and lead to many severe complications that can ruin a person’s life and these complications include kidney failure, degradation of the respiratory system, heart blockage or failure, brain cells damage, etc. | Septic Shock can also lead to more severe and permanent loss of a person which includes kidney failure, blood clogging, heart attack, and in some cases it can even lead to death. |
| Prevention | One can prevent sepsis by the following precautions and they are getting vaccinated for various harmful diseases such as flu, pneumonia, and various other related infections, also one takes care of their wounds, etc. | One can prevent septic shock by the following precautions and they are one should always give importance to their hygiene, proper vaccinations for various infections that may lead to sepsis, should always take care of their sugar level if they are diabetic, avoid smoking and drinking, etc. |
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a dangerous and life-threatening organ dysfunction that is caused by a severe infection and spreads all over the body via the bloodstream and further damages various organs of a human body. It mostly attacks the organs such as the kidney, heart, brain, lungs, etc. In the initial stage of Sepsis, one has an infection, and when this infection is harmful it can lead to these kinds of problems. Even though Sepsis is life-threatening but, it has more severe stages than itself which can lead to death. Sepsis is sometimes or rarely leads to a patient’s death, therefore it has comparatively fewer risk factors of death as compared to the other order dysfunction stages.
Sepsis includes various symptoms such as high fever, rise in heart rate, sudden increase of breathing rate, etc. If one finds any kind of the mentioned discomfort with themself, he/she should immediately seek professional help from a doctor and the doctor further suggests various kinds of tests to determine the problem and continue with its proper care. Sepsis is generally diagnosed by performing some blood tests, a systemic swelled response, etc.
Sepsis attacks or can be commonly seen only with a specific age group or with specific people that include an adult who is of the age 65 or more, a person with a low immune system, an infant, pregnant woman, and therefore it can easily come in contact with these people. Sepsis can damage and lead to many severe complications that can ruin a person’s life and these complications include kidney failure, degradation of the respiratory system, heart blockage or failure, brain cells damage, etc.
What is Septic Shock?
Septic Shock is severe and the last stage of Sepsis that causes organ failure due to the sudden fall of normal blood pressure. In most cases, it has severely damaged the organs and mostly leads to death. Septic Shock does not include one symptom but other symptoms as well that include pale skin color, gradual decrease of urination, nausea, etc. But, the major drawback is low blood pressure. Since we know in the initial stage it starts with an infection, and hence this infection spreads in the body and furthers the blood stops to produce new blood cells, leading blood clogging or the organs do not get enough blood. Therefore, the organs end up being damaged because of the irregular cycle.
Septic Shock is generally diagnosed by checking the systolic blood pressure is lower than 90mmHg or not. That is generally suggested by a specialist. One more reason that leads to Septic Shock is that a survivor of Sepsis and the other related organ dysfunction miss out on the diagnosis in the initial stage and further this becomes more severe or sometimes non-curable which leads to the patient’s death.
Generally, a person with Sepsis, low immune system, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver can easily come in contact with Septic Shock. Also, one can prevent septic shock by the following precautions, and they are one should always give importance to their hygiene, proper vaccinations for various infections that may lead to sepsis, should always take care of their sugar level if they are diabetic, avoid smoking, and drinking, etc.
Main Differences Between Sepsis and Septic Shock
- The cause of organ damage in response to a severe infection in the human body is commonly known as Sepsis. On the other hand, The cause of organ failure is caused due to a fall or low blood pressure is commonly known as Septic Shock.
- Sepsis includes various symptoms such as high fever, rise in heart rate, sudden increase of breathing rate, etc. On the other hand, The Septic Shock includes various symptoms such as drastic fall of blood pressure, pale skin color, gradual decrease of urination, nausea, etc.
- The Sepsis is comparatively less dangerous or severe than the Septic Shock. On the other hand, Septic Shock is the final stage of Sepsis, and hence it is comparatively dangerous.
- The main factor that triggers Sepsis is its infection which is generally caused by bacteria. On the other hand, The main factor that triggers Septic Shock is the drastic fall of the normal blood pressure rate.
- Sepsis is generally diagnosed by performing some blood tests, a systemic swelled response, etc. On the other hand, Septic Shock is generally diagnosed by checking the systolic blood pressure is lower than 90mmHg or not.
- The major cause of Sepsis is infection. On the other hand, The major cause of Septic Shock is the last and severe stage of Sepsis.
- Generally, an adult who is of the age 65 or more, low immune system, infant, pregnant patient, can easily come in contact with Sepsis. On the other hand, Generally, a person with a low immune system, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver can easily come in contact with Septic Shock.
- Sepsis requires various kinds of treatments to cure and this includes treatments such as antibiotics, Vasopressors, medications that can raise the blood pressure, etc. On the other hand, Septic Shock requires various kinds of treatments to cure and this includes treatments such as oxygen supplier machines, Dialysis, antibiotics, medications for BP, etc.
- Sepsis is sometimes or rarely leads to a patient’s death, therefore it has comparatively fewer risk factors of death. On the other hand, Septic Shock patients have more chances of death as it damages the overall organs of the body.
- Sepsis can damage and lead to many severe complications that can ruin a person’s life and these complications include kidney failure, degradation of the respiratory system, heart blockage or failure, brain cells damage, etc. On the other hand, Septic Shock can also lead to more severe and permanent loss of a person which includes kidney failure, blood clogging, heart attack, and in some cases it can even lead to death.
- One can prevent sepsis by the following precautions and they are getting vaccinated for various harmful diseases such as flu, pneumonia, and various other related infections, also one takes care of their wounds, etc. On the other hand, One can prevent septic shock by the following precautions and they are one should always give importance to their hygiene, proper vaccinations for various infections that may lead to sepsis, one should always take care of their sugar level if they are diabetic, avoid smoking, and drinking, etc.
Conclusion
Sepsis and Septic Shock are two types of organ failure, that are caused by different reasons. Sepsis is one of the initial stages of organ dysfunction and Septic Shock is the advanced and severe stage of Sepsis that causes organ failure. Some rare cases of Sepsis can lead to death and hence the mortality rate of Sepsis is very low as compared to Septic Shock. On the other hand, since we know that Septic Shock is the severe and more dangerous stage of Sepsis and hence the mortality rate of Septic Shock is comparatively more. Both Sepsis and Septic Shock are life-threatening and one should immediately seek medical help as soon as possible. The other related Comparisons have been discussed above.
References
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2492881
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1208623