Blood poisoning, or bacteremia or septicemia, is an infection of the blood. This may sound plain and simple but this is actually a serious condition and can cause your life.
Most people confuse sepsis with blood poisoning but they're actually not the same. Sepsis is a complication of blood poisoning where the inflammation happens in different parts of the body.
How Blood Poisoning Occurs
Septicemia, a bloodstream infection occurs bacterial infection in the body enters the bloodstream. Infections in the skin and lungs are the most common, but all infections are dangerous since the toxins and the bacteria themselves can spread through the whole body. Anyone with septicemia should be brought to the hospital as it can progress to sepsis, which causes inflammation that can result to blood clots. Sepsis also blocks the oxygen from going to vital organs and therefore it can cause organ failure.
Anyone can have septicemia, but young babies and older people are very high at risk. These two groups of people have weak immune system, which is why it is important that they are treated immediately. Other people who are high at risk are those with cancer, AIDS, and those who are recovering from surgery.
Symptoms You May Have Developed Blood Poisoning
It is important that you recognize the signs and symptoms of blood poisoning, which are the following:
What Happens If Blood Poisoning is Left Untreated?
Blood poisoning has a few serious complications if you leave it untreated or you choose to delay the treatment and apply the “wait and see” approach. These complications include:
Sepsis
As mentioned, sepsis is a serious complication in which your body’s immune system attacks the infection strongly. As a result, widespread inflammation then organ failure could take place. Those with HIV and other chronic diseases have a higher risk of sepsis.
Septic Shock
This refers to a frightening drop in blood pressure levels. The toxins from the bacteria in the bloodstream cause poor blood flow, which can result to damage of tissue or organ.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Another life-threatening condition, ARDS can prevent oxygen from reaching the blood and the lungs. About 1/3 of cases result in death, while others cause permanent lung damage and memory problems.
Septicemia or blood poisoning is dangerous. See a doctor right away the moment you recognize the symptoms or you suspect that you have this type of blood infection.
Source: Steth News
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