Septicemia (or sepsis) is characterized by an inflammatory response of the body triggered by a bacterial, fungal or viral infection, It can lead to abnormal functioning of the organs.
The signs and symptoms of septicemia include fever, low blood pressure, rapid respiratory rate and confusion. These symptoms can vary depending on the severity or cause of the infection, and the patient's general health status.
Septicemia is considered to be a serious condition, which requires immediate medical attention for assessment. Prompt treatment can reduce the risk for further complications.
Common symptoms
The main symptoms of septicemia are:
- Fever above 38ºC (or 100.4ºF)
- Systolic blood pressure (top number) less than 90 mmHg;
- Rapid respiratory rate, over 20 breaths per minutes
- Rapid heart rate, with more than 90 beats per minute
- Decreased urine output
- Fainting or mental confusion
Septicemia symptoms can appear very suddenly and are most common following a surgery or if the body is fighting an infection. If left untreated, the condition can worsen and develop into septic shock, which is characterized by a sharp decrease in blood pressure that is not resolved with IV fluids.
Confirming a diagnosis
A septicemia diagnosis should be confirmed in a hospital setting. The doctor will order blood tests like a complete blood count (CBC), serum lactate levels, arterial blood classes and clotting factors.
The doctor will also order blood culture tests to determine the underlying cause of the infection. Identifying the harmful microorganism can help to guide the most appropriate treatment approach.
Main causes
Septicemia can develop in anyone who has a localized infection that is left treated. It can arise from a urinary tract infection (UTI), intestinal infection or pneumonia, for example. However, septicemia is more common in newborns (and is referred to as neonatal septicemia in these cases), or in the elderly, as these populations tends to have a comprimised immune system.
Other people who are more suseptible to developing septicemia are those with severe burns or wounds, those who use a urinary catheter, or those who have a pre-existing autoimmune disease.
Treatment options
Treatment of septicemia should be carried out in hospital a hospital setting and started as soon as possible. Oftentimes, septicemia is treated in critical care areas.
Most cases of septicemia are caused by bacteria, and therefore the doctor will often prescribe a IV antibiotics to treat the infection. The antibiotic of choice is usually a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means that it can treat many types of bugs. After ordering blood cultures and identifying the specific type of bacteria causing the infection, the doctor can swap the antibiotic for one that is more effective in targeting it.
Infections that are caused by fungi, viruses or other microorganisms will also require a more targeted antibiotic to ensure the infection is treated.
Throughout treatment, it is also to administer IV fluids to help regulate blood pressure. In more serious cases, the doctor may need to additionally prescribe vasopressor medications to ensure blood pressure is within normal levels.