Septicaemia

Septicaemia (also known as sepsis) is a life-threatening illness caused by the body's response to an infection. The body normally releases chemicals into the bloodstream to fight an infection. Sepsis occurs when the body's response to these chemicals is out of balance, triggering changes that can damage multiple organ systems.

Causes

Septicaemia can be caused by a variety of infections, including infections in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, and gastrointestinal system. The most common types of infections that lead to sepsis are pneumonia, kidney infection, and bloodstream infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms of septicaemia can include a high temperature, chills and shivering, a fast heartbeat and fast breathing. In severe cases, it can lead to septic shock, which is a medical emergency.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of septicaemia involves a series of tests to determine the source of the infection, the types of bacteria causing the infection, and the areas of the body affected. These tests can include blood tests, urine tests, imaging studies such as X-rays or CT scans, and cultures of tissues or fluids from the body.

Treatment

Treatment for septicaemia typically involves antibiotics to fight the infection, intravenous fluids to maintain blood pressure, and oxygen to maintain normal blood oxygen levels. In severe cases, a patient may need to be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring and treatment.

Prevention

Prevention of septicaemia involves good hygiene practices to prevent infections, prompt treatment of infections when they do occur, and vaccination against certain types of bacteria that can cause sepsis.

See also

• Sepsis
• Septic shock
• Infection
• Pneumonia
• Kidney infection
• Bloodstream infection

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