Question

Septicemia is a serious bloodstream infection, can quickly become life-threatening. Describe the causes, pathogenies, epidemiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Include how it can be prevented.

Answer 1

In medical terms, septicemia refers to blood infection caused by any pathogen, generally bacteria, spores, fungal spores or sometimes viruses.

Pathogenesis: Septicemia, depending upon the type of infection, can cause decline in red blood cells or erythrocytopenia, leucocytopenia as well as thrombocytopenia. It can also cause inflammatory reactions and hence complement activation in the immune system. Further, the neutrophil and basophil count of the cells is usually elevated as a result of humoral activation.

Epidemiology: Generally, speticemia is observed in the regions where bacterial/fungal infections persist. Regions with high moisture, high temperatue and temperate conditions are usually affected by speticemia.

Signs and symptoms: General symptoms include recurrent or constant fever, loss of appetite, weakness, nausea and headache.

Diagnosis: A complete blood profile followed by culture examination is used to investigate septicemia and the causative agent for it.

Treatment: General treatment strategies include use of single or combination of antibiotics and immune-boosters.

Prevention: Harboring self-hygein and minimizing exposure to potentially infective objects/articles helps in prevention of the disease.