septic shock

noun

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of septic shock

: a life-threatening form of sepsis that usually results from the presence of gram-negative bacteria and their toxins in the bloodstream and that is characterized especially by decreased blood flow to organs and tissues, hypotension, organ dysfunction (as of the heart, kidneys, or lungs), impaired mental state, and often multiple organ failure

Recent Examples of septic shock from the Web

These superbugs are commonly acquired by hospital patients, and can cause systemic infections that lead to septic shock and multiple-organ failure.

— lisa m. krieger, chicagotribune.com, "'A last line of defense': IBM lab designs molecule to kill drug-resistant superbugs," 4 Apr. 2018
On March 16, 2017, a resident was admitted to a local hospital with twitching, hypothermia, hypotension and septic shock due to multifocal pneumonia, according to DPH.

— courant.com, "State Fines Six Nursing Homes After Residents Injured," 23 Mar. 2018
The cause was septic shock, said Jenny Hurth, a close friend and the executor of his estate.

— roberta smith, New York Times, "Eli Leon, 82, Dies; Champion of African-American Quilt Makers," 23 Mar. 2018
The cause was septic shock, said a daughter, Evelyn Edmunds.

— Washington Post, "The story must be told.," 18 Mar. 2018
In early September, the woman developed septic shock and died.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Insane drug cocktails in India net drug makers millions and pose global threat," 6 Feb. 2018
The cause was septic shock, said a daughter, Joy Jones.

— Washington Post, "The story must be told.," 28 Feb. 2018
Last month, 21-year-old aspiring personal trainer Kyler Baughman died after experiencing septic shock caused by the flu virus.

— char adams, PEOPLE.com, "Georgia Teen Dies Suddenly of Liver Failure Due to the Flu: 'Her Body Couldn't Fight It'," 1 Feb. 2018
Kyler died less than 24 hours later from organ failure due to septic shock caused by influenza, according to his mother.

— elizabeth narins, Cosmopolitan, "21-Year-Old Died Days After Christmas From the Flu," 10 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'septic shock.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of septic shock

1966

Medical Dictionary

septic shock

noun

medical Definition of septic shock

: a life-threatening severe form of sepsis that usually results from the presence of bacteria and their toxins in the bloodstream and is characterized especially by persistent hypotension with reduced blood flow to organs and tissues and often organ dysfunction