Septicemia

 What is septicemia?

Septicemia is a serious bloodstream infection.

It occurs when a bacterial infection enters the bloodstream from elsewhere in the body, such as the:

• skin
• lungs
• kidneys
• bladder

This is dangerous because the bacteria and their toxins can be carried through the bloodstream to your entire body.

Septicemia can quickly become life threatening, and it must be treated in a hospital. If left untreated, septicemia can progress to sepsis.

Septicemia vs. sepsis

Septicemia and sepsis aren’t the same, although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Sepsis is a serious complication of septicemia.

Sepsis causes inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation can cause blood clots and block oxygen from reaching vital organs, resulting in organ failure.

When the inflammation occurs with extremely low blood pressure, it’s called septic shock. Septic shock is fatal in many cases. Septicemia vs. sepsis: How do I tell the difference?

Some people use the words septicemia and sepsis as if they mean the same thing. But technically, septicemia is an infection that occurs when bacteria or other germs enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This can trigger sepsis, which is the body's response to infection.

Who can get blood poisoning?

Anyone can get septicemia, but it is more common in people who:

You are in the hospital or have recently had surgery (especially those with catheters or IVs).

They are very old or very young.

I had septicemia before.

You have infections or other chronic health conditions (such as diabetes or cancer).

Have severe injuries such as extensive burns or open wounds.

Have a weak immune system.

What bacteria can cause septicemia?

Almost any type of bacteria can cause septicemia. Bacteria are most commonly responsible, including:

Staphylococcus aureus.

Streptococcus pneumoniae.

E-coli.

How does septicemia affect my body?

Septicemia can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency. It can cause tissue damage, organ failure and even death.

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

What causes septicemia?

Bacteria, viruses and fungi can enter the bloodstream in a number of ways, for example:

Abscessed tooth.

Bacteria on medical equipment (such as surgical instruments and needles).

Kidney infection.

Pneumonia.

Skin ulcers or other wounds.

Urinary tract infection.

The body can usually eliminate small amounts of bacteria naturally. However, if the bacteria continue to grow and spread, it can lead to septicemia.

What are the symptoms of septicemia?

Early symptoms of septicemia are:

High fever.

Chills.

Weakness.

Perspiration.

Drop in blood pressure.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

How is septicemia diagnosed?

The diagnosis of septicemia is based on:

The presence of symptoms of septicemia.

Blood tests to identify bacteria, virus or fungus.

Depending on your symptoms, you may need additional tests to check for tissue and organ damage.

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

How is septicemia treated?

Septicemia requires immediate treatment to prevent the condition from worsening to sepsis. Infections caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic you need depends on the type of bacteria that caused the infection. If the infection is caused by a virus or fungus, treatment will include antiviral or antifungal medications. Your healthcare provider may also recommend draining blood and fluid from the infected area.