Septicemia is a condition where there is a multiplication of disease-causing bacteria in the blood. The human body is like a host for various types of bacteria that live freely in various locations of the body such as the mouth, skin, intestines, and urinary tract. These bacteria can cause problems if they get into the bloodstream, especially if the person is under unsanitary conditions or weakened immune systems that are not able to fight off the invading organisms.
Symptoms of septicemia
Septicemia often accompanied by symptoms. When accompanied by symptoms usually occur:
- Sudden high fever and chills
- Feeling constantly unwell
- The symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Stomach ache.
- Confused and anxious
- Shortness of breath.
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate).
High-risk conditions
Some factors that increase a person's risk of developing septicemia, among others:
- Severe or chronic illness
- Disease or certain medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, heart disease, liver disease and kidney disease
- Severe bacterial pneumonia
- Skin burns
- Abscess
- Illness or medication that provokes ulceration of the stomach
- Substance abuse, such as alcohol
- Injection drug use
- Malnutrition, which has weakened the immune system
- Long-term antibiotic treatment, which would alter the ratio of bacteria in the body because it kills some types of bacteria while others do not
- Immune suppression therapy, as applied to manage HIV infection
- Open wounds.
Complications of septicemia
If not treated, septicemia can cause serious complications and potentially deadly, such as:
- Endocarditis - inflammation of the lining of the heart (endocardium)
- Pericarditis - an inflammation of the membrane that encloses the heart (pericardium)
- Meningitis - inflammation of the meninges, the membrane covering the brain
- Osteomyelitis - bone infection
- Arthritis - joint infection
- Septic shock - a decrease in blood pressure, which can lead to organ failure. This condition is also known as sepsis.
A healthy body will fight septicemia
Having a good body health is prevention or the best defense against septicemia. The immune system is usually able to cope with small-scale invasion of bacteria in the blood stream very quickly, so that bacteria do not have a chance to develop, especially to cause symptoms. Brushing teeth, for example, can encourage oral bacteria into the bloodstream through the gums, even if only short-term causes septicemia. However, the previously own illness or medical conditions will be more at risk of septicemia because their immune system is already weak and no longer able to fight bacteria. Additionally, newborns and the elderly are also among the groups vulnerable to septicemia.
Diagnosis Method of Septicemia
Septicemia is diagnosed based on the patient's medical history, physical examination, and blood tests in the laboratory to determine the presence of bacteria in the blood. Blood may also be tested and cultured several times to identify the bacteria. Other diagnostic tests may also be carried out is on:
- Urine
- CSF
- Pus from abscesses
- Phlegm from the lungs.