We sometimes say, "Oh, I'm sick," don't we? That's what we feel when we feel weak, have a high fever, and are shaking. In fact, sometimes this can be something much more serious than a simple fever. That's the kind of medical emergency we're talking about today, called septicemia. Today, we'll talk about what exactly it is, who can get it, and what we need to do.
Simply put, what is septicemia?
Septicemia is also called "blood poisoning." Simply put, it means that some germs enter our bloodstream, that is, the blood, and spread throughout the body with the blood. These germs can usually be bacteria . But sometimes viruses or fungi can also cause it.
Imagine that our blood vessel system is like a river system that runs throughout the country. It is along these rivers that the oxygen and nutrients our body needs go everywhere. Now imagine, what happens if something toxic gets into this river from somewhere? That poison travels along the entire river system and spreads everywhere, right? That's what happens when a germ enters the blood.
So what is sepsis? Are these two the same?
No. This is where many people get confused. Septicemia and sepsis are two different things.
Imagine a thief breaking into your house. That thief breaking into your house is like septicemia . That is, germs entering your bloodstream.
Now, what do you do when a thief breaks into your house? You panic, scream, try to hit the thief with whatever you can find, and maybe even act crazy, right? That's how, when a germ enters the body, our body's immune system reacts excessively, out of control, and dangerously. Sepsis is called that.
This is the condition of sepsis that is truly life-threatening. The body goes to fight the germs and starts to damage its own organs. This can lead to organ failure and even death.
That is, a condition called septicemia (germs entering the bloodstream) leads to a fatal condition called sepsis (the body's dangerous response).
Who is most at risk for this condition?
Anyone can get septicemia. But some people are at a higher risk. Let's take a look at who they are.
| People at risk | Reason/Description |
|---|---|
| People who are hospitalized or have recently undergone surgery | People who have IV cannulas or catheters are especially at risk of getting germs. |
| Very old people and small babies | Both of these people have weak immune systems, making them less able to fight off infections. |
| People with weak immune systems | This risk is higher for cancer patients, those infected with HIV, or those taking medications that suppress the immune system. |
| People with other chronic diseases | Conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease increase the risk. |
| People with major injuries or burns | The skin is a protective barrier in our body. When there is a large wound, this barrier can be broken and germs can easily enter. |
How do these germs enter the body?
Now you might be thinking, "Okay, so how can germs get into the bloodstream?" In fact, if any infection in our body is not properly controlled, it can cause germs to get into the bloodstream. The main things that can cause septicemia are:
- Urinary Tract Infection: When an infection in the urinary tract becomes severe.
- Pneumonia: A severe infection of the lungs.
- Kidney Infection: Infections that affect the kidneys.
- Skin ulcers or wounds: Wounds that have not been cleaned properly, or that have festered.
- Abscessed tooth: A pus-filled abscess that forms at the root of a tooth.
- Medical equipment: Through equipment such as cannulas and catheters used in hospitals.
Normally, our body can kill a small amount of germs. But if the number of germs increases or our immune system is weakened, the body cannot control it. That's when septicemia occurs.
What are the symptoms of this? How can I recognize it quickly?
Recognizing the early symptoms of septicemia is extremely important , as the sooner treatment is started, the greater the chance of saving a life.
| Symptom | How do you understand? |
|---|---|
| High fever | A sudden, high fever that makes the body hot. |
| Shivering and chills | Along with the fever, my body shivers and feels cold, so much so that I bite my teeth. Even if I wrap myself in an ax, the cold doesn't go away. |
| Extreme fatigue/weakness | My body feels lifeless. I'm so tired I can't even get up. |
| Sweating | Even when you don't have a fever, your body feels cold and sweats. |
| Low Blood Pressure | This can cause dizziness, blurred vision when you stand up, and fainting. |
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, especially fever and chills, see a doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency department (ETU) without delay. This is not an illness that you can just stay home and take paracetamol to wait it out.
How is it treated?
Septicemia is a medical emergency, so treatment begins in a hospital.
1. Diagnosis: The doctor will examine your symptoms. Then, they will do blood tests to determine if there are any germs in your blood. A blood culture test can determine the type of germs in your blood.
2. Immediate treatment: There is no waiting for blood test results. As soon as septicemia is suspected based on symptoms, antibiotics that are effective against a wide range of bacteria are started through a vein (intravenous - IV).
3. Specific treatment: Once the blood culture report comes back, the specific bacteria, virus, or fungus that caused the infection is identified. Then, the appropriate medication is given.
4. Supportive care: In addition, saline is given to control blood pressure and maintain fluid levels in the body. Sometimes, oxygen is given if breathing is difficult.
If treatment is successful, recovery can occur within a few weeks or months. However, if the condition is severe, recovery may take longer.
What should we do to survive this situation?
There are a few simple things we can do to avoid developing the serious condition called septicemia.
- Get vaccinated on time: Get the vaccines you need to protect yourself from diseases like pneumonia.
- Keep wounds clean: Even small wounds should be thoroughly washed, cleaned, and covered. If a wound becomes oozing or swollen, see a doctor immediately.
- Manage chronic diseases: If you have a disease like diabetes, follow your doctor's instructions. Keep your blood sugar levels under control.
- Wash your hands often: Following good hygiene practices can prevent many infections.
Septicemia is not spread from person to person, but the germs that cause the infection can be easily spread. That's why frequent hand washing is so important.
Take-Home Message
- Septicemia is the entry of germs into the bloodstream. This is the body's excessive, dangerous response to infection. This life-threatening condition is called sepsis.
- If you experience symptoms such as a sudden high fever, chills, and a feeling of helplessness, it could be septicemia.
- This is a medical emergency. If you experience these symptoms, do not stay home and see a doctor immediately or go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
- This risk can be reduced by practicing good hygiene, keeping wounds clean, and managing diseases such as diabetes.
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