Septicemia is the presence of bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) and is often associated with severe infections.
Alternative NamesBlood poisoning; Bacteremia with sepsis; Systemic infammatory response syndrome (SIRS)
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsSepticemia is a serious, life-threatening infection that gets worse very quickly. It can arise from infections throughout the body, including infections in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. It may come before or at the same time as infections of the bone (osteomyelitis), central nervous system (meningitis), heart (endocarditis), or other tissues.
SymptomsSepticemia can begin with spiking fevers, chills, rapid breathing, and rapid heart rate. The person looks very ill.
The symptoms rapidly progress to shock with fever or decreased body temperature (hypothermia), falling blood pressure, confusion or other changes in mental status, and blood clotting problems that lead to a specific type of red spots on the skin (petechiae and ecchymosis).
There may be decreased or no urine output.
Signs and testsA physical examination may show:
Tests that can confirm infection include:
Septicemia is a serious condition that requires a hospital stay. You may be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU).
Fluids and medicines are given by an IV to maintain the blood pressure.
Oxygen will be given. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection.
Plasma or other blood products may be given to correct any clotting abnormalities.
Expectations (prognosis)What to expect depends on the organism involved and how quickly the patient is hospitalized and treatment begins. The Death Rate is high -- more than 50% for some organisms.
ComplicationsSepticemia can rapidly lead to adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock, and death.
Septicemia associated with meningococci can lead to shock or adrenal collapse ( Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome).
Calling your health care providerSepticemia is not common but is devastating. Early recognition may prevent progression to shock.
Seek immediate care if:
Call your health care provider if your child's vaccinations are not up-to-date.
PreventionAppropriate treatment of localized infections can prevent septicemia. The Haemophilus influenza B (HIB) vaccine and S. pneumoniae vaccine have already reduced the number of cases of septicemia in children. Both are recommended childhood immunizations.
In certain cases, people who are in close contact with someone with septicemia may be prescribed preventative antibiotics.
ReferencesEnrione MA, Powell KR. Sepsis, septic shock, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 176.
Munford RS. Sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005: chap 67.
Shapiro NI, Zimmer GD, Barkin AZ. Sepsis syndromes. In: Marx, JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006: chap 136.
Septicemia is bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) that often occurs with severe infections.
Alternative NamesBlood poisoning; Bacteremia with sepsis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsSepticemia is a serious, life-threatening infection that gets worse very quickly. It can arise from infections throughout the body, including infections in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. It may come before or at the same time as infections of the:
Septicemia can begin with:
The person looks very ill.
The symptoms quickly progress to:
There may be decreased or no urine output.
Signs and testsA physical examination may show:
Tests that can confirm infection include:
Septicemia is a serious condition that requires a hospital stay. You may be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU).
You may be given:
The outlook depends on the bacteria involved and how quickly the patient is hospitalized and treatment begins. The death rate is high -- more than 50% for some infections.
ComplicationsSepticemia can quickly lead to:
Septicemia due to meningococci can lead to shock or adrenal collapse (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome).
Calling your health care providerSepticemia is not common but it is very serious. Diagnosing it early may prevent septicemia from worsening to shock.
Seek immediate care if:
Call your health care provider if your child's vaccinations are not up-to-date.
PreventionGetting treated for infections can prevent septicemia. The Haemophilus influenza B (HIB) vaccine and S. pneumoniae vaccine have already reduced the number of septicemia cases in children. Both are recommended childhood immunizations.
In rare cases, people who are in close contact with someone who has septicemia may be prescribed preventive antibiotics.
ReferencesMunford RS, Suffredini AF. Sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009: chap 70.
Shapiro NI, Zimmer GD, Barkin AZ. Sepsis syndromes. In: Marx, JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009: chap 136.
Orenstein WA, Pickering LK. Immunization practices. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011: chap 165.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/24/2011
Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Yes, gangrene can cause septicemia. This happens when the gangrene spreads and enters the blood stream. Septicemia is sometimes called blood poisoning.
septicemia
Septicemia is not contagious. It is an infection, therefore it is not "contagious." Although, If you get septicemia because of a wound then others should be careful around the wound. It is possible I guess that someone else could get it, but they would really have to be in contact with you.
a serious infection that can produce complications in the intestine itself--such as ulcers, perforations (holes) in the intestinal wall, and tissue necrosis--as well as progress to life-threatening septicemia.
Sepsis is a serious medical condition that is characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state. Septicemiais a related but deprecated medical term referring to the presence of pathogenic organisms in the bloodstream, leading to sepsis.
Septicemia is a blood infection, not a germ. There are a number of vaccines that reduce the risk of septicemia from a given pathogen.
No, septicemia is blood poisoning caused by germs.
A blood culture is used to rule out septicemia.
Yes, gangrene can cause septicemia. This happens when the gangrene spreads and enters the blood stream. Septicemia is sometimes called blood poisoning.
Sepsis, septicemia.
Septicemia is systemic blood poisoning. You can get it if you have a localized infection that spreads into other parts of your body.
Bacterial infections of the blood are generally called septicemia, or sepsis. Septicemia is very deadly if not treated.
Septicemia, also called blood poisoning, is a systemic infection arising from the multiplication of pathogens in the blood. Septicemia is a common example of sepsis. The presence of bacteria in the blood is known as bacteremia.
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septicemia
No
No. Absolutely not. If you have septicemia you should see a doctor right away or go to the ER (Emergency Room).