- What can cause septicemia
- Main signs and symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- How the treatment is done
Septicemia, also known as sepsis, is a condition of exaggerated response to an infection in the body, whether by bacteria, fungi or viruses, which ends up causing organic dysfunction, that is, which hinders the normal functioning of the body.
Generally, signs and symptoms of sepsis include fever, low blood pressure, rapid breathing and confusion, but they can vary according to the severity of the infection, as well as the cause and general condition of the person.
As it is a serious condition, it is important that whenever there is a suspicion of sepsis, go to the hospital immediately, to confirm the diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of complications.
What can cause septicemia
Septicemia, or sepsis, can occur in anyone who has a localized infection that is not treated, such as urinary tract, intestinal infection or pneumonia, for example. However, it is more frequent in newborns, being known as neonatal septicemia, or in the elderly, due to the fact that they have a weaker immune system.
In addition, people with burns or severe wounds, who use a bladder catheter and / or who have a weakened immune system due to an autoimmune disease, also have a high risk of developing septicemia.
Main signs and symptoms
The symptoms of septicemia appear very quickly and are more frequent after surgery or when you have another infection in the body. In the presence of these symptoms, you must urgently go to the hospital to start treatment as soon as possible.
Some of the signs and symptoms that help to identify septicemia, or sepsis, include:
- Fever above 38ºC; Systolic blood pressure (maximum) below 90 mmHg; Rapid breathing, with more than 20 cycles per minute; Rapid heartbeat, with more than 90 beats per minute; Decrease in the amount of urine; Fainting or mental confusion.
When septicemia is not initially treated, the condition may worsen to a condition of septic shock, where there is greater dysfunction of the organism and which is characterized by a decrease in blood pressure that does not respond to the administration of serum in the vein. Learn more about what septic shock is and how it is treated.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of septicemia should always be made at the hospital, and clinical evaluation is very important. In addition, the doctor should also order laboratory tests to assess various blood parameters, including the amount of serum lactate, partial oxygen pressure, blood cell count and blood clotting index, for example.
Among the laboratory tests that help in the diagnosis, is blood culture, which serves to help identify the type of microorganism that is causing sepsis, allowing better treatment guidance.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of septicemia should be carried out in the hospital and started as soon as possible by health professionals with experience in assisting critically ill patients.
Since most cases of sepsis are caused by bacteria, it is common for treatment to begin with the administration of a broad-spectrum antibiotic directly into the vein to try to control the infection. After the results of the blood cultures are released, the doctor can change this antibiotic to a more specific one, in order to fight the infection more quickly.
If the infection is caused by fungi, viruses or another type of microorganism, the initial antibiotic is also stopped and the most appropriate remedies are administered.
During the entire treatment it is important to replace fluids in the body to regulate blood pressure. Thus, serum is administered directly into the vein and, in more severe cases, vasopressor drugs can also be used to keep blood pressure more regulated.
