|
|
Septicemia
Alternate Names : Bacteremia with Sepsis, Blood Poisoning
Definition Septicemia is the presence of bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) and is often associated with severe disease.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Septicemia is a serious, rapidly progressing, life-threatening infection that can arise from infections throughout the body, including infections in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. It may precede or coincide with infections of the bone (osteomyelitis), central nervous system (meningitis), or other tissues.
Septicemia can rapidly lead to septic shock and death. Septicemia associated with some organisms such as meningococci can lead to shock, adrenal collapse, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, a condition called Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome.
Septicemia can begin with spiking fevers and chills, rapid breathing and heart rate, the outward appearance of being seriously ill (toxic) and a feeling of impending doom. These symptoms rapidly progress to shock with decreased body temperature (hypothermia), falling blood pressure, confusion or other changes in mental status, and blood-clotting abnormalities evidenced by hemorrhagic lesions in the skin (petechiae and ecchymosis).
Today's Top News Stories | • | Falls Are Top Cause of Injury, Death Among Elderly - Jul 19, 2008, 09:00
Not all homes are the same, but common sense measures can reduce the risk, expert says. | • | Heart Blood Vessels Grown in the Lab - Jul 18, 2008, 19:00
Could offer a future alternative to bypass surgery, researchers say. | • | Clinical Trials Update: July 18, 2008 - Jul 18, 2008, 09:24
- Breast Cancer
- Hot Flashes
- Emphysema
| • | Loud Music in Bars Hastens Drinking - Jul 18, 2008, 16:00
French researchers say blasting tunes makes patrons down more alcohol in less time. | • | Breast-Fed Babies Have Fewer GI Infections - Jul 18, 2008, 17:00
But they're more likely to be iron-deficient, study finds. |
|
Jump to another section
• Definition
• Septicemia Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Septicemia Symptoms & Signs
• Septicemia Prevention
• Septicemia Diagnosis & Tests
• Septicemia Treatment
• Septicemia Prognosis
• Septicemia Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
• Bleeding Disorders
• Cellulitis
• Epiglottitis
• Meningitis
• Osteomyelitis
• Periorbital Cellulitis
• Pneumonia
• Sepsis
• Septic Shock
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• The Flu
• Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome
Tests & Exams
• Blood Culture
• Blood Pressure
• CBC
• CSF Culture
• Fibrinogen
• Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
• Platelet Count
• Prothrombin Time (PT)
• Urine Culture - Clean Catch
Other Topics
• Agitation
• Bleeding Into the Skin
• Blood Pressure - Low
• Central Nervous System
• Consciousness - Decreased
• Fatigue
• Hypothermia
• Immunizations - General Overview
• Intravenous
• Paleness
• Physical Examination
• Shock
• Urine Output - Decreased
Review Date : 11/18/2003
Reviewed By : D. Scott Smith, MD, MSc, DTM&H, Infectious Diseases Division and Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
|
|
