septicemia

Septicemia is caused by a bacterial infection in any part of the body. When bacteria enter the bloodstream, the infection can spread throughout the body through the bloodstream. If left untreated, it can cause inflammation in the body, form blood clots that block the delivery of oxygen to various organs, cause organ failure, and may even lead to death.

Bloodstream infections can be caused by bacterial infections in any part of the body, such as the skin, lungs, kidneys, and bladder. People with weakened immune systems, chronic diseases, the elderly, and those who have recently undergone surgery are at higher risk of developing bloodstream infections than the general population. If you have symptoms of bloodstream infections, see a doctor as soon as possible to prevent serious complications and death.

 

Bloodstream infection

Bloodstream infections are a rapidly developing condition that can occur after an accident or surgery. Symptoms may be mild at first, but can become severe if left untreated.

• I feel cold and my hands and feet arevery cold.
• Fatigue , high fever, some patients’ symptoms may gradually become more severe.
• Rapid breathing, rapid pulse
• Blood pressure drops
• Feeling less conscious and confused
• Nausea and vomiting
• The skin develops red spots. If left untreated, the rash will spread and become larger, like a bruise. These bruises will spread over a large area.
• Less urination
• Insufficient blood flow to the organs leads to 

Children with bloodstream infections do not show symptoms as clearly as adults. Children may have very cold bodies, rashes that do not disappear when pressed with fingers, skin turns dark green or pale, breathing more rapidly than usual, feeling drowsy and difficult to awaken.

Causes of bloodstream infections

Bloodstream infections are most often caused by bacterial infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and E.  coli. In rare cases, they can also be caused by viruses, fungi, and parasites. Bloodstream infections can be caused by a number of things, including:

Infection of organs in the body

Infection in any part of the body is the most common cause of bloodstream infections, which allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream and multiply rapidly, causing immediate sepsis. It can occur from infections in various areas, such as:

• Diseases related to lung infections, such as pneumonia
• Kidney infection
• Urinary tract infections
• Intra-abdominal infection
• Oral infections such as dental abscesses, which are caused by a buildup of bacteria that develops into pus.
• Skin infections in cases of large wounds or burns

Hospital-acquired infection complications

People who need to be hospitalized for medical procedures or surgery may be at higher risk of developing bloodstream infections because the bacteria can resist antibiotics. 

Other causes

People at risk of bloodstream infections may include:

• People with weak immune systems, such as those infected with HIV or leukemia.
• Patients with chronic diseases such as untreated diabetes and obstructive respiratory disease(COPD)
• People who have been treated with chemotherapy,steroid injections, or other methods that weaken the body’s immune system.
• People who have a urinary catheter or who have a tube inserted into a vein
• People who use ventilators
• Young children and the elderly

Diagnosis of bloodstream infections

Initially, the doctor will examine the patient’s symptoms and medical history. The doctor will then perform a physical examination to measure blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, and symptoms or signs of other health problems that occur with bloodstream infection. Additional tests may be performed using various methods, such as:

Blood tests.
Your doctor will take a sample of your blood to test for infection, blood clots, liver or kidney function, oxygen-carrying ability, and electrolyte balance. Blood tests can also help check for bacteria causing a bloodstream infection and see how well your symptoms are responding to antibiotics.

Urine test:
Patients with urinary tract infections must provide a urine sample for examination by a doctor to check for bacterial infection.

Examination of wound secretions
If the patient has an injury and the wound becomes infected, the doctor will collect a sample of the secretions from the wound for examination to help prescribe antibiotics to effectively treat the infection.

Mucus or sputum test:
If the patient has a cough and produces sputum, the doctor will collect a sample of the mucus or sputum.  This test can help diagnose the type of bacteria that is causing the infection.

Imaging scans:
This method allows the doctor to see the condition of the infected organ or tissue area more clearly. The imaging scans include:

• X-raysPatients with lung problems should have an X-ray, which provides a clearer picture of the lungs.
• Patients with gallbladder or ovarian infections should have an ultrasound scan, in which the doctor uses sound waves to create images.
• CT Scan: Patients with infections in the intestines, pancreas or appendix should have a CT scan. The doctor will take X-ray images from several angles to provide an overall view of the structure of the various internal organs.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Patients with soft tissue infections, such as spinal abscesses, should undergo an MRI scan, which can help identify areas of soft tissue infection. The scan uses radio waves and an electromagnetic field to produce images of the internal organs.

Treatment of bloodstream infections

If bloodstream infections affect the function of organs or tissues in various parts of the body, patients need urgent treatment, which may require hospitalization for treatment and recovery. Treatment of bloodstream infections depends on several factors, including the patient’s age, overall health, symptoms, and tolerance to medications.

If inflammation occurs in the body, resulting in blood clots blocking the flow of oxygen to various organs, the patient needs treatment to stimulate normal breathing and the heart to return to normal function. Treatment includes medication, symptomatic care, and surgery, as follows:

Use of antibiotics

Patients with severe sepsis are given a broad spectrum of antibiotics, because treatment is urgent and doctors may not be able to identify the specific type of infection for a short period of time. Antibiotics that are expected to be effective are given intravenously within the first 6 hours or sooner.

After the blood test results are available, the doctor will then switch to antibiotics that specifically treat the type of infection. The patient will be switched to tablets after the critical period has passed. The patient may need to take the medication for 7-10 days or longer, depending on the severity of the symptoms in each patient.

Intravenous fluid administration

Doctors give intravenous fluids to patients to maintain a stable blood pressure. Fluids given to patients with sepsis help prevent dehydration and kidney failure. Doctors give fluids within 24–48 hours after hospital admission.

Blood pressure medication

In some patients, if their blood pressure remains low after receiving intravenous fluids, their doctor may prescribe medication to increase their blood pressure. This medication causes the blood vessels to narrow and helps increase blood pressure.

Symptomatic patient care

People with sepsis who have trouble breathing may need to be connected to a tube or put on a ventilator to help them breathe easier. If a person has a kidney infection, their doctor may perform dialysis to remove waste products from their body.

Surgery

If the source of the infection is an abscess or wound that has spread, it may be necessary to drain the pus. Patients with severe symptoms may require surgery to remove the infected tissue and treat the damaged tissue.

Complications of bloodstream infection

Patients with bloodstream infections are at risk of serious complications. If not treated immediately, it can lead to complications called potentially life-threatening, such as:

• Sepsis (systemic inflammatory disease) is caused by the immune system’s response to bacteria. If severe, it can lead to organ failure, such as the heart and kidneys. It’s common in people with chronic diseases who have weakened immune systems.
• Septic shockis a severe bloodstream infection that causes blood pressure to drop below normal, which can lead to tissue death. Patients must seek immediate hospital treatment.
• Gangreneoccurs when some of the body’s tissues are deprived of blood supply, causing the tissue to die and rot. If the condition is severe, the affected organ, such as an arm or leg, may need to be amputated.
• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome(ARDS) can be life-threatening because the patient does not get enough oxygen to nourish the lungs. It can also cause permanent damage to the lungs and affect the brain, leading to memory problems.

In addition, patients who have recovered from sepsis may experience complications such as insomnia, nightmares, hallucinations, delirium, severe fatigue , muscle and joint pain,  difficulty concentrating, and loss of confidence. These symptoms may last for about 6–18 months.

Prevention of bloodstream infections

Ways to prevent bloodstream infections include protecting yourself from infection, which can be done by:

• Get vaccinatedregularly
• No smoking, no drug use
• Eat healthy foods
• Exercise regularly
• Always wash your hands thoroughly.
• Be careful when being around people who are sick with various diseases.

People who have a fever or suspect that they have been infected with bacteria should see a doctor for consultation and treatment immediately. If treated with antibiotics in time, it can help prevent the bacteria from spreading and prevent the patient from developing a bloodstream infection.