Septic shock is caused by

• A. An overwhelming bacterial infection causes blood pressure to drop
• B. A fungal infection causes fever
• C. A viral infection causes swelling
• D. Allergic reaction to medication

Answer: (A)

Septic shock occurs when an infection triggers a body-wide inflammatory response that causes widespread blood vessel dilation and leakage, leading to dangerously low blood pressure and poor organ perfusion. Bacteria are the most common culprits, so an overwhelming bacterial infection best explains why blood pressure drops in septic shock. The other options describe fever, swelling, or an allergic reaction, but they don’t capture the infection-driven drop in blood pressure that defines septic shock.