Blood Poisoning

Introduction

Blood poisoning, or septicaemia, is a bacterial infection that occurs

when bacteria get into the bloodstream and multiply rapidly. Blood

poisoning normally happens when bacteria enter the bloodstream in

large numbers, and spread too quickly for the immune system to

destroy them. Once in the bloodstream, some types of bacteria

release poisons known as toxins that attack the bodys tissues. Blood

poisoning is a potentially life-threatening infection that must be

treated rapidly in order to prevent the infection from spreading to

the heart and lungs.

Septicaemia begins as an infection in the walls of the blood vessels,

before developing into a tissue infection such as cellulitis. Blood

poisoning commonly occurs as a complication of a serious infection,

such as a kidney infection. Blood poisoning is dangerous because

once bacteria get into the bloodstream, it is difficult to prevent them

flowing to the bodys vital organs. Meningitis is caused when the

membranes covering the brain and spinal cord become infected and

inflamed, which can be a consequence of blood poisoning. Elderly

people with existing health conditions are particularly susceptible to

blood poisoning, as are children. The risk of blood poisoning is

increased if your immune system has been weakened by a chronic

illness, or if you have undergone surgery recently.

Symptoms

Symptoms may develop suddenly and can include the following:

· fever,

· chills and shivering,

· rapid breathing and headache,

· nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea,

· low blood pressure and possible loss of consciousness,

· skin may feel pale, cold, and clammy,

· delirium and/or depression.

Causes

In most cases, blood poisoning occurs when bacteria escape from an

infection and enter the bloodstream. Blood poisoning can also result

from wounds, burns and infected surgical incisions, all of which

release enough bacteria into the bloodstream to cause

septicaemia. Internal conditions ranging from urinary tract infections

and pneumonia, to boils, abscessed teeth and gum problems, may

cause blood poisoning if enough bacteria escape into the

bloodstream. The bacteria from the infected sites are then carried in

the blood to the bodys tissues. The immune system attempts to

combat this by releasing endotoxins into the bloodstream to defend

the blood vessels against leaking. You may feel feverish and chilled,

as the body attempts to bring the poisoning under control and

prevent fluid loss into tissues. If this not prevented, infections such

as meningitis or typhoid that affect the whole body may develop.

Diagnosis

If you think you may have blood poisoning and are displaying any of

the symptoms, it is important to seek urgent medical attention. Your

doctor will assess your symptoms and carry out a blood test to

identify the bacteria causing the infection. If septic shock is

suspected, you will be hospitalised while the blood is tested for

bacteria, blood gas levels, and other indicators. An

electrocardiogram (ECG) may also be taken to check for an irregular

heartbeat.

Treatment

Once the bacteria have been identified, blood poisoning is normally

treated with oral or intravenous antibiotics. Additionally, the

infected area may need to be drained in order to disinfect it. If

septic shock develops, emergency treatment and antibiotics

including penicillin will be administered. As blood poisoning can be

fatal, it is usually necessary to remain in hospital until a complete

recovery is made, in order for any potential complications to be

monitored.

Prevention

The following measures will reduce the risk of blood poisoning:

· Be aware of the symptoms of blood poisoning. The infection

can spread very quickly and it is important to know the signs

to look out for.

· Vaccines against meningitis and tuberculosis are offered

within existing immunisation programmes. Although they do

not offer protection against all strains of infection, they still

provide an excellent defence.

· Keep wounds clean. If you cut, scratch or break your skin in

any way, make sure the wound is cleaned, treated with

antiseptic, and covered with a plaster or dressing if necessary.

· If you develop a mouth infection, see your dentist straight

away for treatment. For a faster recovery from an abscessed

tooth, apply a warm-water compress and rinse with warm salt

water. Eating soft foods and flossing regularly can also help to

prevent infection spreading.

· A boil should be treated by applying a warm-water compress

to the affected area for 20 minutes, three times a day, until it bursts. You should continue to apply the compress until the boil has completely drained of puss. Do not be tempted to

squeeze boils as this can spread the infection.