What is Septicemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Septicemia is a very serious ailment that may develop into a life-threatening complication. This causes when toxins are released into the bloodstream. A common term used for this condition is sepsis. Read on to learn more about this deadly condition, its causes and treatment.

Septicemia is an infection led by microbes such as bacteria (more frequently), viruses or fungi. It is also known as blood poisoning, which occurs when the bacteria start to spread after entering the bloodstream.

A serious complication of Septicemia results in Sepsis. As a result, there is body-wide inflammation that causes blood clots, which also keep blood from reaching vital organs, resulting in fatal consequences.

Septicemia triggers Sepsis, which is a life-threatening response causing damage to tissues and organs and even death.

Once the Sepsis progresses, based on the severity and complexity, it can be divided into the following three stages:

Stage 1 - Sepsis: It is the first stage of Sepsis when the blood infection has resulted in severe reactions of the immune system leading to tissue damage. It is often characterised by high fever, faster heart rate, breathing issues, or confirmed infection.

Stage 2 - Severe Sepsis: The second stage of Sepsis is when the organs start malfunctioning. There is inflammation throughout the body and very low blood pressure. This stage is characterised by a wide range of symptoms such as decreased urination, irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart functions, extreme weakness, chills, mental confusion, etc.

Stage 3 - Septic Shock: This is the final stage of Sepsis, where the blood pressure drops severely. Treatments often include IV fluids. However, it is the most dangerous phase, characterised by hypotension, elevated lactate levels, and other symptoms. This phase witnesses the most cases of mortality.

Septicemia is the infection caused by the entry of bacteria, viruses, and/or fungi into the bloodstream, causing "blood poisoning". Typical symptoms of Septicemia in the early stages are as follows:

• High fever
• Fast heart rate
• Chills
• Heavy breathing

When Septicemia triggers Sepsis, which is the body's reaction to germ infiltration, there are severe symptoms that increase progressively. They include:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Flushing
• Weakness
• Low body temperature
• Shivering 
• Sweating
• Drop in blood pressure
• Sensitivity to light
• Mental confusion, inability to think properly, and other cognitive errors
• Shortness of breath
• Delirium
• Insufficient urine production
• Dysfunctioning organ
• Nausea
• Low urine production

The common causes of Septicemia are as follows:

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Kidney infection
• Lung infections, for example, pneumonia
• Germs from unsafe medical equipment (needles, tools, etc.)
• Abscessed tooth
• Skin wounds or skin ulcers

The causal germ for Septicemia can be bacteria, viruses, or fungi. However, the most common infections are caused by the following bacteria:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• E. coli.

Note that the body can fight a small number of germs on its own. However, if there is rapid growth and spreading, it consequently leads to Septicemia.

Septicemia can affect anyone, but the risk is higher for certain people. The following are the Septicemia risk factors:

• Age: Older people are at higher risk of contracting infections due to increased vulnerabilities, such as declining immune systems. For the same reason, infants are also at higher risk of Septicemia.
• Immunity: People with weaker immunity who fail to fight off bacterial/viral infection
• Medical history: People who suffered from Septicemia before
• Recent surgery or hospitalisation: People who have undergone recent surgery and ones who had IVs or catheters are more prone to contracting germs
• Other medical conditions: People with chronic diseases such as cancer, HIV, AIDS, diabetes, etc.
• Wound: People who have open wounds, burns or other severe injuries

In addition to the signs and symptoms are several types of lab analysis and tests available to diagnose Septicemia.

Based on your signs and symptoms, your doctor may give you a specific test to ascertain the condition and find out to what extent your body is affected. The Septicemia diagnoses involve different tests, such as:

1. Blood Tests

The blood test is done to check if there are:

• Indications or evidence of infection
• Unusual function of the liver or kidney 
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Clotting issues
• Impaired oxygen availability
• Other lab tests

2. Fluid Lab Tests

To identify the source of infection, the following lab tests may be done:

• Urine test
• Respiratory secretions test
• Wound secretions test

3. Imaging Tests

Imaging tests are mostly used to identify the site of the infection in case it is not readily found. Some of the standard tests include:

• X-ray: X-rays can be required to check for any infections, such as pneumonia or any damage to the lungs.
• Ultrasound: In the ultrasound technique, sound waves are used to produce images of the inside of your body. It helps doctors to identify infections in your internal organs.
• Computerised Tomography Scan (CT Scan): This shows cross-sections of your body’s internal organs. It helps to diagnose infections in the pancreas, liver, and abdominal organs.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This method makes use of radio waves and magnets to produce cross-sectional or 3D images of the inner organs. MRI tests can also help to detect tender tissue or bone infections.

Septicemia is a severe condition that should be treated immediately once detected. With effective treatment in the earlier stage, Sepsis development can also be prevented.

However, people who have developed Sepsis need urgent medical attention and should be hospitalised along with intensive monitoring.

Nonetheless, the treatment of Septicemia or Sepsis depends on several factors, such as:

• The type of germ causing the infection (bacteria, viruses, or fungi)
• Extent or severity of the condition
• Age
• Reaction to a specific medication, etc.

Septicemia treatment methods include the following:

1. Medications

Depending on the factors mentioned above, medications include:

• Antibiotics: The initial treatment includes the use of a broad spectrum of antibiotics to kill the germs causing the infections. Which is then followed by medications based on the germ causing infection once the lab tests are done. Doctors may prescribe antiviral or antifungal medications in cases of viral or fungal infections.
• Intravenous fluids: In severe cases like Septic shock, doctors inject IV fluids to reverse the shock effect and restore cardiovascular stability. It also helps in oxygen flow and supply in organs.
• Medications: If the blood pressure is found to be too low even after the injection of IV fluids, doctors may go for medication. Drugs that help in increasing blood pressure by constricting the blood vessels can be used. Doctors might recommend insulin to help maintain stable blood sugar levels along with sedatives and painkillers

2. Supportive care

In case of severe complications for Sepsis or Septic Shock, supportive therapy may be required, such as:

• Mechanical ventilation
• Renal replacement therapy
• Dialysis
• Healthy nutrition

3. Surgery

In case the source of the infection is to be removed, doctors can suggest surgery. It includes the removal of abscesses (pus); or removal of infected or dead tissues (gangrene).

If treated aggressively, you can recover fully from Septicemia. However, many cases today show high mortality due to Sepsis and Septic Shock. Therefore, negligence and lack of proper treatment can quickly lead to mortality, sometimes within a day.

Septicemia is a deadly condition and often fatal in nature. Therefore, taking proper preventive measures is always better than seeking a cure. 

Following are the general tips you can follow for Septicemia prevention:

• First, wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before and after eating, cooking, touching exposed wounds, throwing garbage, etc.
• Keep your chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, under control.
• Get your recommended vaccines up to date, especially for diseases like flu and chickenpox, tetanus, etc.
• Avoid smoking or try to quit.
• Clean up open wounds and cuts properly. Keep your wounds covered until you recover to avoid catching germs. Also, check for signs of infections.
• Treat any infection immediately. Seek medical help if they do not recover or the condition worsens progressively.

Since sepsis is a medical emergency, it is necessary that a patient's family must be aware of its signs and symptoms. If you know someone with Septicemia, and their condition is not getting any better, act fast and immediately get help from a doctor. 

Septicemia is a critical clinical condition that needs immediate medical attention. Therefore, you must seek help if you experience any signs and symptoms such as a fast heart rate, high fever, shortness of breath, chills, low blood pressure, etc. 

With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, this condition can be effectively cured. However, in order to avoid going through this painful condition altogether, it is wiser to practice effective preventive measures.