septic shock

noun

: a severe form of sepsis that is associated with profound, life-threatening circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities, that is marked especially by increased capillary permeability and vasodilation resulting in persistent, dangerously low blood pressure and reduced blood flow despite fluid administration, and that leads to multiple organ failure
By many estimates, sepsis—and its most severe form, septic shock—is the leading cause of death for intensive care patients in the U.S. and the 10th most common cause of death for everyone else in the country.Maryn McKenna

Examples of septic shock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the worst cases, blood pressure drops, the heart weakens, and the patient spirals toward septic shock. Maggie O'Neill, Health, 26 June 2023 In another case, a resident went into septic shock and died after an IV inserted into the man's arm went unattended for eight days. The Indianapolis Star, 8 June 2023 Among those who survive septic shock, recovery is difficult, and symptoms can persist for months or years. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 2 June 2023 Then on Christmas morning, she was rushed to the hospital in septic shock. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 23 Jan. 2023 Interferon alpha, which is sometimes used to treat chronic hepatitis C and other conditions, causes a major inflammatory response throughout the body by flooding the immune system with proteins known as cytokines — molecules that facilitate reactions ranging from mild swelling to septic shock. Joanna Thompson, Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2023 An aide to the former president said Bill Clinton had a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream but was on the mend and never went into septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition. BostonGlobe.com, 18 Oct. 2021 Compared with flu patients, those hospitalized with COVID had a greater risk of acute kidney injury, severe septic shock, life-threatening blood clots, and a range of dangerous cardiovascular complications, Al-Aly showed in a study in 2020. Jason Gale, Fortune Well, 6 Apr. 2023 Severe sepsis can also lead to septic shock–the last stage of sepsis–when an individual’s blood pressure becomes dangerously low despite IV fluids. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 12 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'septic shock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of septic shock was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near septic shock

Cite this Entry

“Septic shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/septic%20shock. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Medical Definition

septic shock

noun
: a severe form of sepsis that is associated with profound, life-threatening circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities, is marked especially by increased capillary permeability and vasodilation resulting in persistent, dangerously low blood and reduced blood flow pressure despite fluid administration, and that leads to multiple organ failure
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!