Can septic shock cause future neurological problems?

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi there, Firstly I would like to thank you for your time and it is very kind of you to provide advice online and I am certain that everybody is so glad you are here to help. :) My girlfriend had septic shock in April 2010 due to bacteria entering her blood stream. The source was never clear. During sepsis her body started to shut down and several doctors worked on her. She became more stable the next day and was put on many types of AB and a breathing machine. She seemed to recover well and till today she seem reasonably healthy. However around a couple of month ago her thumb started twitching. We brushed this off because she had a cut on her wrist the year before from a chipped glass as a window shattered when she tried to open it. This glass caused much bleeding and it may have damaged her nerve for her thumb because parts of the thumb became somewhat numb. Then the worry began as her other fingers also started twitching. At times she cannot hold her drink bottle still without trembling when she is filling it up at the gym. She also mentioned her hands tremble at times during lectures. She feels that her muscles are getting smaller and is worried she may have some neurological disorder. On a side note, she is losing some hair however not to the extent of balding. Although this may all be in her head or due to stress, my question is, can septic shock survivors have after effects on their nervous system? Perhaps due to their body shutting down during sepsis or the over 40 degrees fever damaging something? Thanks again in advanced :)

Dear Darren: Septic shock is a serious condition that occurs when an overwhelming infection leads to life-threatening low blood pressure and decreased oxygen supply to the vital organs including brain. Recovery from septic shock depends on how early the treatment was sought and initiated, as well as the extent of damage (reversible or irreversible) to the vital organs. Thus there may be a possibility of neurological damage due to oxygen deprivation, low blood pressure and high temperature. It would be best to see a neurologist before worsening of the symptoms and sought for an early treatment.