This can make diagnosis difficult, complicating therapy. The symptoms typically found in Gram-negative septicaemia are those associated with endotoxin. A part of the molecule. It causes vasodilatation. This initially results in a 'warm shock'.
Patients are hot and flushed.
They also have a rapid heartbeat to compensate for the drop in blood pressure. As the condition progresses, the peripheral blood vessels are constricted to maintain blood flow to the vital organs. Consequently the patient becomes pale and cold to the touch - 'cold shock'. There follows damage to the major organs, particularly the kidneys and lungs. Multiple blood clots form throughout the circulatory system.