Sepsis history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]

Synonyms and keywords: sepsis syndrome; septic shock; septicemia

History and Symptoms

Symptoms of sepsis are often related to the underlying infectious process. When the infection crosses into the bloodstream the resulting symptoms of sepsis occur:

• Fever
• A capillary leak syndrome can develop with severe swelling, edema, and third spacing of fluids.
• General symptoms can include flu like symptoms as well as shaking chills or rigors.
• If the respiratory system is the primary source for sepsis then sore throat, productive cough, and pleuritic chest pain may be present.

Symptoms due to the focal involvement of organs by the bacteria can give clues to the etiology of sepsis. Such symptoms include the following:

Organ system involvement	Symtpoms
Head and Neck	Headache Neck stiffness altered mental status Earache Sore throat Sinus pain or tenderness Cervical or submandibular lymphadenopathy
Pulmonary	Productive Cough Pleuritic chest pain Dyspnea Dullness on percussion Bronchial breath sounds with localized rales, or any evidence of consolidation
Cardiac	Onset of new murmur H/O of IV drug use
Abdominal and gastrointestinal	Diarrhea Abdominal pain and distention Guarding or rebound tenderness Rectal tenderness or swelling
Pelvic and genitourinary	Flank pain Adnexal tenderness or masses Vaginal or urethral discharge Dysuria, frequency, and urgency
Musculoskeletal	Localized limb pain or tenderness Focal erythema, edema Swollen joint crepitus in necrotizing infections Joint effusions
Skin	Petechiae Purpura Erythema, ulceration, bullous formation, and fluctuance