When someone has an infection in their bloodstream, it is known as septicemia. This is also known as blood poisoning. It happens when certain bacteria infects a part of a person’s body, such as the skin or lungs, and enter the bloodstream. It is a dangerous situation. The bacteria can travel through a person’s bloodstream and affect their entire body.
Sepsis
Sepsis and septicemia are not the same. Sepsis is a severe condition that results from a person having septicemia. This is a situation where there is inflammation throughout a person’s body. Sepsis can result when oxygen is being blocked from reaching vital organs. This can cause organ failure. It can also cause blood clots. It has been estimated that more than a million Americans experience sepsis annually. Up to 50 percent of those with sepsis will die from it.
Causes Of Septicemia
This is the result of an infection in a person’s body. It is often severe. Various bacteria can cause septicemia. The source of the infection may not be able to be identified. Certain common infections can turn into septicemia.
- Abdominal area infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Infections of the kidneys
- Infections of the lungs such as pneumonia
Symptoms
A person could experience the symptoms of septicemia quickly. During the initial stages, a person will feel very sick. This could occur after a person has had a localized infection. There are some common early-stage symptoms.
- Rapid Heart Rate
- Chills
- Breathing quickly
- Fever
Treatment
The bacterial infection causing the septicemia will initially be treated with antibiotics. It is common for there not to be enough time to determine the type of bacteria. The first round of treatments will encompass a wide variety of antibiotics. This will be effective on many different types of bacteria at once. A more focused antibiotic will then be utilized when a particular bacterium has been identified.
When septicemia affects a person’s organs or tissue function, they have a medical emergency. This condition must be handled in a hospital. Treatment will depend on various factors.
- Extent of a person’s condition
- Their age
- Their tolerance of specific medications
- Their overall health
When septicemia is diagnosed early, it can be treated with antibiotics. People with preexisting conditions may have an impact on their immune systems. There have been medical advances in the monitoring and treatment of septicemia. This has significantly decreased the mortality rates resulting from this situation.