Causes of Blood Infection Septicemia, Bacteremia Caused Blood Poisoning Symptoms
A blood infection, aka blood poisoning, refers to septicemia. Septicemia results from bacteremia. Bacteremia is bacteria in your blood. Septicemia can quickly lead to sepsis and often fatal septic shock.
Typically, a small amount of bacteria in your blood does not cause septicemia because your immune system rapidly assassinates it. On the other hand, bacteria has a better chance to proliferate into blood poisoning in those with weakened immune systems. Or in the otherwise healthy, if your defenses are overwhelmed via too much bacteria for too long.
Some bacteria that can cause bacteremia include:
- E. coli
- salmonella
- haemophilus
- streptococcal
- pseudomonas
- pneumococcal
- staphylococcal
- meningococcal
- campylobacteriosis
In rare cases, septicemia is caused by a fungus, chiefly the yeast Candida.
Septicemia may arise from another infection in your body, such as:
- cellulitis
- peritonitis
- meningitis
- appendicitis
- osteomyelitis
- urinary tract infection
- skin infections ~ MRSA
- lung infection ~ pneumonia
- intestinal infection ~ food poisoning
Bacteria can gain entry into your blood during a medical or dental procedure as well.
Bacteria that is not removed from your blood it can also accumulate and cause other infections, like:
- meningitis
- pericarditis
- endocarditis
- osteomyelitis
- septic arthritis
Initial symptoms of bacteremia causing septicemia may involve:
At this juncture, you’ll appear obviously sick.
Your septicemia can hastily advance into shock, exhibiting symptoms of:
- ARDS
- confusion
- hypotension
- hypothermia
- decreased, no urine production
- blood clotting issues ~ petechiae
Although folks with fabulous immune health can suffer a blood infection, it’s those with an impaired immune system who are more prone to septicemia. A few circumstances or conditions that may create this vulnerability are:
- AIDS
- elderly
- cancer
- diabetes
- cirrhosis
- spleen removed
- ruptured appendix
- illegal drug injection
- steroids, corticosteroids
- chemotherapy, radiation
- immunosuppressive meds
- extensive burns, severe injuries
- very young babies ~ neonatal sepsis
Of late, there’s been a rise in blood poisoning cases likely because of the upsurge in:
- aging population
- cancer treatments
- organ transplantation
- overuse of antibiotics
Septicemia can turn into an emergency situation very quickly, so get yourself health care attention immediately. Hib and pneumococcalvaccines help protect against the two most pervasive bacterial causers of septicemia.
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