Blood poisoning, or septicemia, is a bacterial infection that enters the bloodstream through an injury or disease. Symptoms include fever, nausea, body aches, and changes in personality. If left untreated, it can become deadly and lead to organ failure or amputation.
Blood poisoning is a condition in which the bloodstream is contaminated with bacteria. Symptoms of blood poisoning can be deceptive, as they can resemble the flu, with fever, nausea, and other stomach upsets. The individual may have a general feeling of sickness along with aches, pains and discomfort throughout the body. Physical symptoms can also cause changes in an individual’s personality.
Many of the symptoms of blood poisoning are not specific to the condition alone, which can make diagnosis difficult. There may be the development of an extremely high fever alternating with chills. The individual may find his heartbeat, along with difficulty catching his breath. He may also have trouble urinating and not have to go as frequently as usual.
There is often a general sick look to the person, accompanied by a vague feeling of sickness that the individual is unable to pinpoint. In severe cases, there may be signs of bleeding into and under the skin. In addition to the visible symptoms, the bacterial infection usually also changes the number of white blood cells in the body.
As the infection progresses, the symptoms of blood poisoning get worse. The individual will often suffer from a severe drop in blood pressure, which can result in certain organs being deprived of the oxygen needed to keep them functioning at the necessary level. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, it can lead to a loss of consciousness or an altered personality.
The bacteria usually enter the bloodstream through some other type of injury or disease. When these blood poisoning symptoms coexist with an illness like pneumonia, it can be a sign that something else is wrong. Another common way for bacteria to enter your blood is through a recent incision from surgery or dental work. There are usually signs that the wound is infected, such as discoloration and fluid or pus oozing from the incision.
Blood poisoning is also known as septicemia when it is in its early stages. As it progresses, it can become deadly. If the infection is not treated, there is a high chance that some organs in the body will start malfunctioning and bacteria will multiply and spread. If bacteria begins to settle in a patient’s limbs, amputation may be required to rid the body of infection. A variety of complications can develop, even in cases that are treated quickly.
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