Septicemia (Blood Poisoning)
What is blood poisoning?
Septicemia, also known as blood poisoning, occurs when bacteria gets into the blood, causing a body-wide infection. One of the markers of it is that is progresses very quickly.
Symptoms
The patient will usually have a fever that spikes as well as elevated white blood cell count, chills, rapid breathing, and rapid heart rate. The person's blood pressure drops, and they may act confused or even delirious.
Treatment
This requires hospital treatment, and you will probably be given IV fluids and antibiotics as well as oxygen and possibly plasma. If you have a surgical wound infection with fluid in it, it will be drained.
The mortality rate for blood poisoning is quite high - 50% or more, depending on the health of the patient at the onset of the infection. Studies have shown that the mortality rate for septicemia goes up 7% for every hour treatment is delayed, so immediate treatment is of paramount importance.
Prevention of wound infection
Proper care of your surgical wounds is the most important prevention method for avoiding septicemia. Every wound, from a paper cut to a gaping gash is vulnerable to infection. A post surgical wound infection is particularly dangerous though, as the cut, and therefore the potential path for bacteria, extends deep inside your body.
While you are in the hospital, be sure to keep an eye on your incisions. The nurses and doctors should be checking them every day, but it can't hurt for you to be mindful of them as well.
There are standard procedures that all hospital personnel who come in contact with you should follow
They should:
- Consider you susceptible to infection and proceed accordingly
- Wash their hands and put on fresh gloves before touching your wound or the area around it
- Ensure that soiled gowns and linens do not come into contact with open wounds
- Ensure that all equipment or tools that may come into contact with you has been properly cleaned and disinfected
- Use antiseptic agents to cleanse the skin and wound areas
- Dispose of potentially infectious waste in appropriate containers
Overall, your chances of contracting blood poisoning from a wound infection are fairly low, 1% to 2% overall, but the mortality (death) rate is 50% or more, so is is extremely important to prevent it.
Here are some other pages you may find interesting:
- Anesthesia Complication
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Dumping Syndrome
- Hair Loss After Surgery
- Gastric Bypass and Hair Loss
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