Septicemia

Our blood has mainly three types of blood cells: red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. These blood cells function in different ways to keep the blood protected from harmful affairs. White blood cells kill harmful bacterias and keep our blood protected. Sometimes, chemicals enter the blood to fight infection. Throughout the body, the chemical is released in the blood. The blood becomes poisoned by the bacteria or their toxins. This condition of blood infection is called septicemia. Infection on different body parts also causes it. It is a severe complication of infection, which may lead to organ failure. In this article, we are going to discuss septicemia in detail.

Septicemia Meaning

Septicemia is a word of medical science. It means the Life-threatening blood infection by pathogens. Septicemia is a bacterial disease, which causes blood infection by toxins. It is also known as blood poisoning. It occurs when any bacterial infection of the body enters the blood.

Causes of Septicemia 

When the infection of any of the body parts releases in the blood, septicemia occurs. The blood becomes infected by that infection and becomes poisoned. Septicemia is an extreme result of blood infection. Any bacterial infection cannot be detected in septicemia. The most common organs from where septicemia is caused are the lungs, kidney, urinary tract, abdominal area. Urinary tract infection, kidney infection, pneumonia (lung infection), etc. Often causes septicemia. Besides these organ infections, there are some secondary reasons for septicemia, and they are-

• Severe burn or injury in any body part

• Compromised immune system

• Young or old age

• Mechanical ventilation

• Intravenous or urinary catheter

Symptoms of Septicemia

Septicemia shows its symptoms quickly. Even if the patient is in the first stage, the symptoms are apparent. The symptoms of septicemia in the first stage are fever, cough and cold, chills, rapid pulse rate, fast breathing, etc. In the first stage, the patient looks very sick. If septicemia progresses without proper treatment, more severe symptoms of septicemia are-

• Inability to think clearly or confusion

• Shock

• Low urine volume

• Vomiting and nausea

• Inadequate blood flow

• Red dots on the skin

If you are having any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should go to the doctor immediately. Otherwise, septicemia may lead you to severe complications.

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Complications of Septicemia

Sometimes, septicemia becomes severe with serious complications. Here, we have mentioned some of the difficulties of septicemia.

1. Sepsis: When your body has a strong immune system against the infection, sepsis occurs. Those people are at a high risk of sepsis who have chronic diseases. Sepsis can even lead you to organ failure.

2. Septicemia Shock: A severe drop in blood pressure is called septicemia shock. It is a severe complication of septicemia. The toxins of the bacteria may cause low blood flow, organ or tissue damage resulting in a septicemia shock. It is a medical emergency case. People with septicemia should be admitted to the hospital immediately.

Septicemia Treatment

Before septicemia leads you to organ failure, you should visit the doctor and start the treatment accordingly. As septicemia is a medical emergency, it should be treated in the hospital. The treatment of septicemia depends on age, overall health, tolerance for medications, the condition's extent, etc. For the treatment of septicemia, antibiotics are used. Initially, the treatment is broad-spectrum antibiotics. By this process, a wide range of bacteria can be defended. If the specific bacteria is identified, the treatment can be more focused. For maintaining blood pressure, fluid and other medications are used. Also, an oxygen mask and ventilation may be required.

Neonatal Septicemia

It is a type of septicemia that mainly occurred in the body of newborn babies. It is caused by bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI) such as pneumonia, gastroenteritis, meningitis, pyelonephritis, etc. Newborn babies can be affected by this bacterial septicemia.

Solved Questions

1. What is Septicemia?

Solution: Septicemia is a life-threatening blood infection caused by bacteria. A bacterial infection causes it in different organs of the body. When the infection of any body part enters into the bloodstream, septicemia occurs. It may lead a person to organ failure. 

2. What are the Initial Symptoms of Septicemia?

Solution: Septicemia shows symptoms quickly. Even in the first stage, the patient suffers from different health problems. The initial symptoms of septicemia are fever, cough and cold, chills, rapid pulse rate, fast breathing, etc.

3. What is the Treatment Process of Septicemia?

Solution: Antibiotics are used for the treatment of septicemia. A broad-spectrum antibiotic is a common process of treatment. The treatment of septicemia depends on age, overall health, tolerance for medications, and the condition's extent.