Septicemia is what? Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of septicemia

Septicemia is what? The answer to this difficult medical question you will receive from the materials of this article. Also we will tell you about what symptoms this disease has, and how it should be treated.

basic information

Septicemia is a medical term for the infection of blood. As a rule, such a disease occurs due to the entry of pathogens into the systemic bloodstream. In this case, the spread of microbes can begin from any source of inflammation (for example, infectious tissue or organ damage, wounds on the skin, etc.).

Features of the disease

Septicemia is a blood disease that affects young children most often. What is the reason for this? The fact that the immune system of the child is at the stage of formation, so an infection from his organs can easily penetrate into the bloodstream.

How does septicemia manifest? Symptoms of this disease will be listed below. It should be noted that with septicemia the patient is concerned not only with high body temperature and fever, but also with respiratory failure, delirium and tachycardia. For such a disease is characterized by rapid development. In this regard, it is extremely important to recognize it in time and conduct adequate therapy.

Causes

Septicemia is a disease of the blood, which arises, as we have already said, due to pathogens. In most cases, they are common bacteria, but the disease can be caused by viruses, fungi, and other opportunistic microorganisms.

As a rule, microbes penetrate the human body through open wounds on the body, mouth and various foci of inflammation (for example, in otitis, antritis, inflammation of the kidneys). Most often, the patient's immune system copes with such pathogenic microorganisms. But in the event that a large number of bacteria got into the bloodstream at once (for example, in advanced stages of otitis, sinusitis, cystitis, etc.), then immunity is not able to resist them, as a result of which infection begins with all the ensuing consequences.

Very often septicemia, the symptoms and treatment of which are presented below, is a serious complication of infectious diseases. It should also be noted that along with microbes, the products of their vital activity enter the bloodstream, that is poisonous substances that cause toxic shock, damage to organs and tissues, as well as disruptions in the operation of various systems. As a result, the disease under consideration can easily provoke a fatal outcome.

Septicemia: symptoms in adults

As mentioned above, the disease in question is characterized by a fairly rapid development. That is why the recognition of the first symptoms of the disease will help the doctor begin timely treatment and save the life of the patient.

For the onset of such a disease, the usual signs of a common cold (temperature, general weakness, chills, refusal to eat) are typical. Next, it is associated with vomiting and diarrhea, characteristic of intestinal infection. Also, the patient has tachycardia and rapid breathing.

Other signs

The condition of a person with septicemia deteriorates fairly quickly. Toxins that get into the systemic bloodstream damage the blood vessels, which entails subcutaneous hemorrhages that manifest as rashes.

At the very beginning of the disease, the rash is similar to small dots. After that, they are converted into large blue areas.

With severe intoxication, the patient experiences delusional conditions, as well as loss of consciousness.

It should be specially noted that the symptoms of this disease can vary significantly, depending on the causes of its occurrence. For example, bacterial septicemia is a form of blood poisoning, which is characterized by the appearance of ulcers on the heart valves. Staphylococcus and enterococci can also cause this disease. In this case, internal organs and systems are affected (spleen increases, vessels, kidneys, joints, etc. suffer).

Characteristic features of such a disease are hemorrhages under the skin and in the lower eyelid, as well as necrosis of subcutaneous tissue, the appearance of nodules on the palms, thickening of the phalanges of the fingers, etc.

How is it diagnosed?

The diagnosis of such a disease is determined by the typical symptoms of blood poisoning. Also, the presence of this disease is confirmed by laboratory tests.

To identify the causative agent of septicemia, the patient is assigned blood culture. In this case, the analysis must be done several times in a row. This is due to the fact that microorganisms have a certain life cycle, and the therapy can significantly change their number in the blood and bloodstream. When determining the type of bacteria, an analysis is made of their susceptibility to various antibiotics.

It should also be noted that the standard procedure for such a disease is a biochemical and general analysis of blood and urine. Also, ultrasound of the chest, abdominal cavity and so on can be prescribed.

Septicemia: treatment

Treatment of the ailment in question should take place only in a stationary setting, or more precisely in intensive care or intensive care unit.

The therapy scheme is based on the same principles as the treatment of infectious diseases. However, when choosing medicines, specialists necessarily take into account the patient's condition, as well as a high risk of death.

As a rule, when septicemia doctors use antibiotics, as well as drugs to reduce intoxication and improve immunity. If required, the patient is prescribed funds that can correct the disturbed processes in the body.

Features of therapy

With septicemia, the patient needs complete rest and diet. An important point in the treatment of this disease is the purification of the foci of infection. To this end, antibiotics of different groups are used. Sometimes the patient is additionally prescribed hormonal therapy.

With severe intoxication, the patient is intravenously injected with gamma globulin, glucose solution, and plasma. When identifying abscesses (secondary), urgent surgical treatment is performed. They are opened and cleaned. Also purulent wounds are washed, and the affected areas are excised.