Contents:
- Medical Video: Influenza and Sepsis: Mayo Expert Describes Warning Signs of Severe Sepsis, Septic Shock
- What are the causes of septicemia?
- Who is at risk of developing septicemia?
- What are the symptoms of septicemia?
- Complications that can occur due to septicemia
- 1. Sepsis
- 2. Septic shock
- 3. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- How to treat septicemia?
- Is there a way to prevent septicemia?
Medical Video: Influenza and Sepsis: Mayo Expert Describes Warning Signs of Severe Sepsis, Septic Shock
Septicemia is a condition in which a person experiences blood poisoning due to large amounts of bacteria entering the bloodstream. The risk of this condition can be life threatening to the sufferer. Septicemia can also occur because it is triggered by an infection in the body, then bacteria from the infection enter our bloodstream. If not treated quickly, this condition will trigger sepsis.
READ ALSO: Beware of Sepsis in Children Who Can Cause Death
What are the causes of septicemia?
Actually what bacteria can cause septicemia? It turns out that what bacteria can cause this condition cannot be classified. Various bacteria can be the cause. You may even find it difficult to find the source of the infection. But here are some infections that can trigger septicemia, namely:
- Urinary tract infection
- Lung infections, such as pneumonia
- Kidney infection
- Infection in the stomach area
Not only the infection above, if you have surgery, you are also at risk of developing septicemia. This is what you should be aware of, because when you do a medical process in a hospital - such as surgery - the possibility of bacteria being resistant or resistant to antibiotics.
Who is at risk of developing septicemia?
The following conditions can make you at risk of septicemia:
- Have severe injuries or burns
- You are very young (baby) or very old
- Have immune problems such as HIV or leukemia
- Have a urinary or intravenous catheter
- Get treatment that weakens the immune system such as chemotherapy or steroid injections
READ ALSO: Why Are Women More Affected by Urinary Tract Infection?
What are the symptoms of septicemia?
Symptoms of septicemia can occur very quickly. In the initial stage, someone can look like someone who is in a "very sick" state. The following are common symptoms:
- Chills
- An increase in body temperature (fever)
- Breathing becomes fast and irregular
- Heartbeat beats fast
You can also be aware of symptoms heavier, as:
- Confused or unable to think clearly
- Nausea and vomiting
- Red spots appear on the skin
- Decreased urination capacity
- Low or inadequate blood flow
If you find these signs on someone, immediately take them to the hospital immediately. Don't wait for the symptoms to improve or not, because the condition of septicemia needs to be dealt with quickly.
READ ALSO: Is it true that the Immune System Affects Our Social Life?
Complications that can occur due to septicemia
The following can occur, if septicemia is not immediately treated:
1. Sepsis
Some people think that septicemia is another term for sepsis. It needs to be straightened out here that sepsis is a further condition of septicemia. If septicemia only attacks the bloodstream, then in sepsis, bacteria attack all organs of the body. The bacteria also cause inflammation so that it can make blood clot and prevent oxygen from reaching our organs, eventually the organ fails.
2. Septic shock
Bacteria can spread toxins in the bloodstream which makes blood flow low. Organ or tissue damage can occur because of this. Septic shock is an emergency medical condition, a person will usually be treated in an ICU with a ventilator and a machine to help with breathing.
3. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
This condition can also threaten your life. Oxygen cannot reach the lungs and blood. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), this condition is fatal and can cause permanent lung damage. Not only that, you are also at risk of brain damage that causes memory disorders.
READ ALSO: Be careful, you can get 4 of these diseases if you often go to the hospital
How to treat septicemia?
Actually, if certain infections are quickly treated, bacteria will not reach the bloodstream. It is important for you to pay attention to your own health, whether you have symptoms of a particular infection or not.
Treatment certainly must involve a doctor and hospitalization. Antibiotics will be used to treat bacterial infections. Further time is needed to find out what bacteria are spreading toxins and doctors must race against time, so the antibiotics used are usually the type that functions to eradicate all bacteria. You also need fluids that are inserted into your body to prevent blood clots and maintain blood pressure.
Is there a way to prevent septicemia?
Septicemia can occur to anyone, knows no age. Therefore, it is important for parents to always pay attention to the child's vaccination schedule.
For those of you who do have immune system problems, you should avoid it the following things:
- Smoke
- Using drugs
- Undergo an unhealthy diet
- Don't exercise
- Wash hands seldom
- Adjacent to sick people
