Septicemia
What is septicemia?
Septicemia
is the clinical name for blood poisoning by bacteria. Septicemia that
progresses to septic shock has a death rate as high as 50 percent, depending on
the type of organism involved. Septicemia is a medical emergency and needs
urgent medical treatment.
How does septicemia relate to meningitis
Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also cause
septicemia, particularly the meningococcal form. When meningococcus invades the
body, it enters from the throat. It then gets into the bloodstream, and travels
through the blood to the meninges.
·
In some cases, the bacteria multiply
uncontrollably in the bloodstream. This results in septicemia, before the
bacteria can infect the meninges.
·
In other cases, infection in the bloodstream and
in the meninges develops at the same time. These patients develop both
septicemia and meningitis.
·
In a minority of cases, the body can stop the
bacteria multiplying in the bloodstream, but not in the meninges. These
patients develop meningitis.
What are the symptoms of
septicemia?
The
following are the most common symptoms of septicemia. However, each person
may experience symptoms differently.
Patients
with septicemia often develop a hemorrhagic rash—a cluster of tiny blood spots
that look like pinpricks in the skin. If untreated, these gradually get bigger
and begin to look like fresh bruises. These bruises then join together to form
larger areas of purple skin damage and discoloration.
Septicemia
develops very quickly. The patient rapidly becomes very ill, and may:
·
Lose interest in food and surroundings
·
Become feverish
·
Feel cold, with cool hands and feet
·
Become lethargic, anxious, or agitated
·
Experience a coma and sometimes death
Those
who become ill more slowly may also develop some of the signs of meningitis.
The symptoms of septicemia may resemble other conditions or medical problems.
Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Treatment for septicemia
Specific
treatment for septicemia will be determined by your healthcare
provider based on:
·
Your age, overall health, and medical history
·
Extent of the condition
·
Your tolerance for specific medicines,
procedures, or therapies
·
Expectations for the course of the condition
·
Your opinion or preference
Septicemia
is a medical emergency that need immediate medical attention. In most
cases, treatment will involve antibiotic medicine.
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