Septic shock is a serious
medical condition that occurs when
sepsis, which is a body-wide
inflammatory response to
infection, leads to dangerously low blood pressure. The primary infection is most commonly by
bacteria, but can also be by
fungi,
viruses, or
parasites, and can be located in any part of the body, but most commonly in the lungs, brain,
urinary tract, skin, or
abdominal organs. It can cause
multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (formerly known as multiple organ failure) and
death. Its most common victims are children,
immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly, as their
immune systems cannot deal with infection as effectively as those of healthy adults. Frequently, patients suffering from septic shock are cared for in
intensive care units. The
mortality rate from septic shock is approximately 25–50%.