Septicemia
Septicemia
What is septicemia?
Septicemia, or sepsis, is the clinical name for blood poisoning by bacteria. It is the body's most extreme response to an infection. Sepsis that progresses to septic shock has a death rate as high as 50%, depending on the type of organism involved. Sepsis is a medical emergency and needs urgent medical treatment. Without treatment, sepsis can quickly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
What causes sepsis?
These infections are most often associated with sepsis:
Lung infections (pneumonia)
Urinary tract infections
Skin infections
Infections in the intestines or gut
These 3 germs most frequently develop into sepsis are:
Staphylococcus aureus (staph)
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Some types of Streptococcus
Who is at risk for sepsis?
An infection can happen to anyone, but there are certain risk factors that put people at higher risk for developing sepsis. These include people with:
Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, lung disease, immune system disorders, and kidney disease
Weak immune systems
Community-acquired pneumonia
A previous hospitalization (especially hospitalization for an infection)
Also at risk are:
Children younger than 1 year of age
Adults age 65 and older
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
The following are the most common symptoms of sepsis. However, each person may experience symptoms differently.
People with sepsis 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.
Sepsis develops very quickly. The person rapidly becomes very ill, and may:
Lose interest in food and surroundings
Become feverish
Have a high heart rate
Become nauseated
Vomit
Become sensitive to light
Complain of extreme pain or discomfort
Feel cold, with cool hands and feet
Become lethargic, anxious, confused, 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 sepsis may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
How is sepsis diagnosed?
The diagnose sepsis, your healthcare provider will look for a variety of physical finding such as low blood pressure, fever, increased heart rate, and increased breathing rate. Your provider will also do a variety of lab tests that check for signs of infection and organ damage. Since some sepsis symptoms (such as fever and trouble breathing) can often be seen in other conditions, sepsis can be hard to diagnose in its initial stages.
How is sepsis treated?
Specific treatment for sepsis 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
Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that needs immediate medical attention. People with sepsis are hospitalized and treatment is started as quickly as possible. Treatment includes antibiotics, managing blood flow to organs, and treating the source of the infection. Many people need oxygen and IV (intravenous) fluids to help get blood flow and oxygen to the organs. Depending on the person, help with breathing with a ventilator or kidney dialysis may be needed. Surgery is sometimes used to remove tissue damaged by the infection.
How can I prevent sepsis?
One of the most important infection control behaviors is hand washing. You should wash hands with clean, running water for at least 20 seconds. Wash your hands:
Before eating
After using the toilet
Before and after caring for a sick person
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before and after cleaning a wound or cut
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal or handling pet food or pet treats
After changing diapers or cleaning up after a child who has used the toilet
After touching garbage
To help keep your immune system strong and prevent sepsis, also:
Keep cuts clean and covered until healed.
Manage chronic medical conditions such as diabetes.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a healthy well-balanced diet.
Exercise.
Get recommended vaccinations on schedule.
When an infected area is not getting better or is getting worse, get medical care.
Updated:  
June 28, 2018
Sources:  
Sepsis syndrome in adults: Epidemiology; definitions, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and prognosis, Up To Date
Reviewed By:  
Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN,Zingman, Barry, MD