Septicaemia is the clinical name for blood poisoning. This is an extreme reaction of the body to an infection. The death rate for Septicaemia is very high, and it is a serious health condition that requires emergency treatment and care. Sepsis can lead to organ failure, tissue death and damage, and other serious, lifelong complications.
The symptoms of sepsis are:
In some cases, sepsis can be misdiagnosed as meningitis due to the symptoms that are expressed. Not all patients will show every symptom of sepsis early on either. Patients who think that they might have an infection and who are experiencing any of the above symptoms should be taken to an emergency room for medical attention right away.
Septicaemia is associated with other infections that have overwhelmed the body’s immune response. The most common germs that cause this condition are staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and strains of streptococcus. Most patients will have a lung infection, a urinary tract infection, a skin infection, or a gut or intestinal infection that overwhelms the immune system’s ability to fight it off. When the immune system can no longer fight off the invading organisms causing the infection, Septicaemia happens.
The risk factors for Septicaemia are:
Sepsis can often be diagnosed just by the symptoms that a patient is experiencing. However, lab tests can be done to verify which bacteria has caused the Septicaemia. This can help to diagnose Septicaemia in the early stages when the symptoms can mimic other illnesses and health conditions more closely. Blood tests and imaging tests might be done to verify the kind of bacteria that is causing the infection and to look for pockets of infection like abscesses.
Septicaemia is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Patients will need to stay in the hospital to be given treatments like oxygen, intravenous antibiotics, and intravenous fluids. A ventilator might be necessary to help those with lung infections to breathe, or dialysis might be needed to help support kidney function. Surgery might sometimes also be necessary to remove infected tissue or tissue that has been damaged due to sepsis.
Prevention of sepsis requires being vigilant about handwashing, especially when caring for someone who has other health conditions that can make them more likely to get Septicaemia. Hand washing also protects those who are caring for someone who is sick from getting the same life-threatening infection. Keep cuts and wounds clean, dry, and covered up. Make sure that you eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise. Monitor the appearance of wounds and sites of injections or intravenous treatments for signs of infection.
If you have a weakened immune system, always be on alert for any of the symptoms of Septicaemia. Be cautious about handling animals or handling pet food. Be sure that you wash your hands after touching garbage, clothing, or diapers of young children or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Good sanitary practices are key to helping prevent serious and life-threatening infections, especially for those who are at an increased risk for Septicaemia.