Septicemia

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Blood poisoning; Bacteremia with sepsis

Appropriate treatment of localized infections can prevent septicemia. HIB vaccine for children has already reduced the number of cases of Haemophilus septicemia (and Haemophilus meningitis, epiglottitis, and periorbital cellulitis ) and is a routine part of the recommended childhood immunization schedule.

Children who have had their spleen removed or who have diseases that damage the spleen (such as sickle cell anemia ) should receive pneumococcal vaccine. Pneumococcal vaccine is not part of the routine childhood immunization schedule.

Close contacts (parents, siblings, friends) of septic children with certain organisms such as pneumococcus, meningococcus, and Haemophilus may require preventive antibiotic therapy. This will be prescribed by the health care provider and the type of antibiotic will be determined by the organism involved.

Review Date: 10/27/2005
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.