Can you get septicemia from a cut

Bursitis of the Hip. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. High Blood Pressure. Home Diseases and Conditions Blood Poisoning. Table of Contents. What is blood poisoning? Anyone can get blood poisoning and sepsis, but the risk is higher for: Infants and young children especially under 1 year of age Older people 65 years of age or older People who have a weakened immune system People who have chronic medical conditions, including diabetes, cancer, and AIDS People who have just had surgery.

Symptoms of blood poisoning The symptoms of blood poisoning are similar to symptoms of a cold or the flu and may include: Chills, shivering Sudden fever moderate to high temperature Fast heartbeat Rapid breathing Heart palpitations heart skips a beat or seems to flutter Low energy more in children Irritability more in children Additional symptoms that indicate sepsis, include: Confusion or disorientation Extreme pain or discomfort Shortness of breath Clammy or sweaty skin If you recently had surgery or a wound that could be infected, take these symptoms seriously.

What causes blood poisoning? How is blood poisoning diagnosed? Can blood poisoning be prevented or avoided? To lower your risk of blood poisoning: Take care of cuts and open wounds.

Keep them clean. Treat them with antiseptic medicine or as directed by your doctor. Get flu and pneumonia vaccines. A tooth infection can cause blood poisoning. See your dentist before it becomes a bigger problem. See your doctor for sinus and ear infections.

Be aware that infection can occur following surgery or a medical treatment. Living with blood poisoning Many people fully recover from blood poisoning. Questions for your doctor Am I in a high-risk group for blood poisoning? Do all prosthetic devices increase your risk of infection? Our Advanced Wound Center team provides expert, outpatient care for difficult wounds including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy which promotes wound healing.

For more information call Septicemia can quickly become life-threatening. It must be treated in a hospital. If left untreated, septicemia can progress to sepsis.

Sepsis is a serious complication of septicemia. Sepsis causes inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation can cause blood clots and block oxygen from reaching vital organs, resulting in organ failure.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that over 1 million Americans get severe sepsis each year. Between 28 and 50 percent of these patients may die from the condition.

Septic shock is fatal in many cases. Septicemia is caused by an infection in another part of your body. This infection is typically severe. Many types of bacteria can lead to septicemia. The most common infections that lead to septicemia are:. Bacteria from these infections enter the bloodstream and multiply rapidly, causing immediate symptoms.

People already in the hospital for something else, such as a surgery, are at a higher risk of developing septicemia. Secondary infections can occur while in the hospital. These infections are often more dangerous because the bacteria may already be resistant to antibiotics. The symptoms of septicemia usually start very quickly. Even in the first stages, a person can look very sick. They may follow an injury, surgery, or another localized infection, such as pneumonia. The most common initial symptoms are:.

More severe symptoms will begin to emerge as septicemia progresses without proper treatment. These include the following:. Septicemia has a number of serious complications. These complications may be fatal if left untreated or if treatment is delayed for too long. Sepsis occurs when your body has a strong immune response to the infection. It can be hard to spot. Urgent advice: Call if:. You, your child or someone you look after: feels very unwell or like there's something seriously wrong has not had a pee all day for adults and older children or in the last 12 hours for babies and young children keeps vomiting and cannot keep any food or milk down for babies and young children has swelling, redness or pain around a cut or wound has a very high or low temperature, feels hot or cold to the touch, or is shivering Do not worry if you're not sure if it's sepsis — it's still best to call