Bacteremia and Sepsis - Definition, Causes and Symptoms

Bacteremia and Sepsis


DEFINITIONS

• Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.
• Sepsis is an infection in the bloodstream.

CAUSES

Sepsis is the result of a bacterial infection in the human body.
Which is often the source of sepsis is an infection of the kidney, liver or gall bladder, intestines, skin (cellulitis) and the lungs (pneumonia due to bacteria).

Risk factors for sepsis:

• Surgery on the infected part of the body or body parts which normally grow bacteria (eg intestine).
• Insert foreign objects into the body, for example; intravenous catheter, urinary catheter or drainage hose.
• Drug abuse by injection.
• Patients with immune system disorders (eg, due to anti-cancer therapy).

SYMPTOMS

Transient bacteremia rarely cause symptoms because the body is usually able to eradicate a small number of bacteria immediately.

If someone sepsis, there will arise the following symptoms:

• Fever or hypothermia (decreased body temperature).
• Hyperventilation.
• Chills.
• The skin feels warm.
• Skin rash.
• Tachycardia (increased heart rate).
• Delirious or dazed.
• Decreased production of urine.

If not addressed, sepsis can lead to infection throughout the body (metastatic infection). Infections can occur in the lining of the brain (meningitis), in the pericardium (pericarditis), in the heart (endocarditis), in the bone (osteomyelitis) and in the large joints. An abscess (accumulation of pus) may develop in almost all parts of the body.