Infection causing distributive shock

• A. Sepsis
• B. SIRS
• C. Septic Shock
• D. Hypotension in Sepsis

Answer: (C)

Distributive shock caused by infection is septic shock. When an infection triggers a systemic inflammatory response and profound vasodilation with maldistribution of blood flow, circulation can fall into a state where blood pressure remains dangerously low and tissues aren’t adequately perfused. Septic shock is the subset of sepsis characterized by persistent hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation and often elevated lactate, reflecting metabolic stress and organ dysfunction.

Sepsis itself means there is a dysregulated host response to infection leading to organ dysfunction, but not necessarily persistent low blood pressure. SIRS describes a systemic inflammatory response, which can occur with infection or other insults and does not by itself indicate infection or shock. Hypotension seen in sepsis points toward septic shock, but the term septic shock specifically captures the infection-driven distributive state with ongoing circulatory failure.