Septicaemia

Septicaemia is a potentially life-threatening infection in which large amounts of

 bacteria are present in the blood. It is commonly referred to as blood poisoning.

 Septicaemia usually arises as a result of localised infection in the body. The primary

 site of infection may occur in the respiratory system, the skin, the gastrointestinal

 system or the genitourinary system. It may coincide with very aggressive

 infections such as meningitis.Bacteria usually spill over from the primary infection

 site into the blood and are carried throughout the body thereby spreading infection

to various systems of the body.

Infection spreads throughout the body via the blood stream.

 

The symptoms of Septicaemia:

• Fever and chills.

• Drenching sweats may occur.

• The heart rate and respiratory rate (number of breaths per minute) risefeve. 

•  Feelings of weakness.

•  Feel very cold and clammy.

• The blood pressure starts to fall and the person may lapse into unconsciousness.

•  Petechiae.