What is sepsis and what is exotoxic shock?
Sepsis is a condition in which bacteria are present in the bloodstream. The body mounts systemic responses to the presence of pathogens and the toxins they release in the blood. With severe sepsis, the body is overwhelmed by the bacteria and their toxins, which initiate physiological reactions that can result in inflammation and blood clotting throughout the body. Septic shock occurs when the cardiovascular system begins to fail so that blood pressure drops, depriving vital organs of an adequate oxygenated blood supply. Most cases of sepsis do not result in death; however, 50% of septic shock cases are fatal. The fatalities due to infection after mifepristone medical abortion were not technically caused by “sepsis,” (bacteria in the blood), as has been commonly described, but rather by exotoxic shock. Exotoxic shock results from the presence of exotoxins, toxins (poisons) released by bacteria into the bloodstream. Only certain rare strains of bacteria produce these poisons. Bacterial t
