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Sepsis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

Symptoms:

Chills
Confusion or delirium
Decreased urine output
Fever or low body temperature (hypothermia)
Hyperventilation
Lightheadedness
Rapid heart beat
Shaking
Skin rash
Warm skin

Signs and tests:

The following may indicate sepsis:

Blood culture that reveals bacteria
Blood gases that reveal acidosis
Kidney function tests that are abnormal (early in the course of disease)
Platelet count that is lower than normal
White blood cell count that is lower or higher than normal

This disease may also change the normal results of the following tests:

Blood differential -- showing immature white blood cells
Fibrin degradation products -- often higher than normal, a condition that may be associated with a tendency to bleed
Peripheral smear -- may show a low platelet count and destruction of red blood cells

Antibodies

Reviewed last on: 9/28/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Enrione MA, Powell KR. Sepsis, septic shock, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 176.

Shapiro NI, Zimmer GD, Barkin AZ. Sepsis syndrome. In: Marx, JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006: chap 136.

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