Complications of septicemia

Septicemia has many serious complications. These complications can be fatal if left untreated or if treatment is delayed for a long time. Sepsis Sepsis occurs when your body has a strong immune response to an infection. This will lead to widespread inflammation throughout the body. Severe sepsis is called if it leads to organ failure, such as kidney or heart failure. People with chronic illnesses have a higher risk of sepsis. This is because they have a weak immune system and cannot resist infection. Septic shock A complication of septicemia is a sudden drop in blood pressure called septic shock. Toxins released by bacteria into the bloodstream can cause extremely low blood flow, which can result in organ or tissue damage. Septic shock is a medical emergency. People with septic shock are usually treated in a hospital's intensive care unit (ICU). You need medication to raise your blood pressure. You may also need to put on a ventilator 

Diagnosis of septicemia

Diagnosing septicemia and sepsis are one of the biggest challenges for doctors. It can be difficult to find the exact cause of the infection. Diagnosis usually involves a wide range of tests.

Examination

The doctor will examine your symptoms and ask about your medical history. They will perform a physical examination to determine:

• low blood pressure

• Low body temperature, which is usually only found in older people with this condition

• high body temperature The doctor may also look for signs of conditions that commonly occur with septicemia, including:

• pneumonia

• cellulitis, a type of skin infection

• UTI

• meningitis

Laboratory tests

A doctor may perform tests on different types of fluids to help confirm a bacterial infection. These fluids may include:

• urine

• hiding the wound (and skin lesions)

• respiratory secretions

• blood Your doctor may check your cell and platelet counts, as well as order tests to analyze blood clotting. If septicemia is causing breathing problems, your doctor may also check the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood. Display tests If the signs of an infection are unclear, the doctor may order imaging tests to look in detail at specific organs and tissues.

These include:

• X-ray photo

• CT scan

• MRI

• ultrasound

Treatment of septicemia

Septicemia has already started to affect your organs or tissue functions instead of  a medical emergency. It needs to be treated in a hospital. Your treatment will depend on many factors, including:

• your age

• your general health

• the extent of your situation

• Your tolerance to certain medications

Antibiotics are used to treat the bacterial infection that causes septicemia. There is often not enough time to determine the type of bacteria. Initial treatment usually uses "broad-spectrum" antibiotics. It is designed to work against many bacteria at once. If specific bacteria are identified, a more targeted antibiotic can be used. You may receive fluids and other medications intravenously to maintain blood pressure or prevent blood clots from forming. You can also get oxygen through a mask or ventilator if you have trouble breathing due to septicemia.

How to prevent septicemia

Septicemia is caused by bacterial infections. If your infection is effectively treated with antibiotics in the early stages, you can prevent the bacteria from entering the bloodstream. Older people and caregivers can help protect children from septicemia by informing children about their vaccinations. If you have a weakened immune system, the following measures can help prevent septicemia:

• Avoid smoking or try to quit smoking.

• Avoid taking medicines that are not prescribed or recommended by a doctor.

• Eat nutritious food.

• Exercise regularly.

• Wash your hands often.

• Vaccination.

• Manage your diabetes if you have this condition.

• Stay away from people who are sick.

What is septicemia?

Septicemia is a serious infection of the blood. Septicemia, sometimes called sepsis, is an infection that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread. Bacteria are usually bacteria, but they can also be viruses or fungi. Septicemia is a serious condition that, if not properly treated, can progress to sepsis, septic shock, or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Sepsis is often confused with sepsis. While sepsis on the other hand is a serious condition caused by septicemia. It is a condition caused by inflammation in the body that causes blood clots, further complicating the free flow of oxygen leading to organ failure. Septicemia is a bacterial infection that spreads through your bloodstream. Whereas sepsis is your body's response to this infection. Septic shock is a serious complication that causes a severe drop in blood pressure. Toxins released into the bloodstream as a result of infection can block the flow of oxygen, resulting in tissue damage or oxygen depletion. Acute respiratory distress syndrome is another serious complication caused by septicemia. This condition occurs due to insufficient oxygen supply to the lungs and blood, which mainly causes lung damage, memory problems, hearing and brain damage. 

Causes of septicemia

As mentioned, septicemia is usually caused by an infection that occurs in another part of your body that quickly enters your bloodstream. Urinary tract infection, kidney infection, pneumonia are some of the common infections that can cause septicemia. This occurs when a bacterial infection enters the bloodstream from other parts of the body, such as:

• skin 

• lungs

• Kidneys

• bladder This is dangerous because the bacteria and their toxins can enter the bloodstream through your body. Septicemia can easily become life-threatening and must be treated in a hospital. If left untreated, septicemia can progress to sepsis.

Septicemia versus sepsis

Sepsis and sepsis are not the same, although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Sepsis is a serious complication of septicemia. Sepsis causes inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation can cause blood clots and block oxygen from reaching vital organs, resulting in organ failure. When inflammation occurs with extremely low blood pressure, it is called septic shock. Septic shock can be fatal in many cases.

Causes of septicemia

Septicemia is caused by an infection in another part of your body. Many types of bacteria can lead to septicemia, and the exact source of infection is often uncertain. The most common infections leading to septicemia are:

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

• lung infections such as pneumonia

• kidney infection

• abdominal infection

Bacteria from these infections enter the bloodstream and multiply rapidly, causing immediate symptoms.

Risk factors for septicemia

People who are already in the hospital for something like surgery have a higher chance of developing septicemia. Secondary infections can occur in the hospital. These infections are often more dangerous because the bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics. Others at higher risk of developing septicemia include: • people with severe injuries or burns • children • older adults

• people with a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV or leukemia) or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy or steroid injections)

• people with diabetes

• people with urinary or intravenous catheters

• persons who are on mechanical ventilation Symptoms of septicemia Symptoms of septicemia usually begin immediately. Even in the early stages, a person can look very sick. Bacteria, viruses and fungi can enter the bloodstream in many ways, such as: What are the symptoms of septicemia?

Symptoms of early septicemia are:

• High fever.

• Cold.

• Weakness.

• Sweating.

• Lowering blood pressure.

• Dental abscess.

• Contamination of medical equipment (such as surgical instruments and needles).

• Kidney infection.

• Pneumonia.

• Skin ulcers or other lesions.