Septicemia

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Blood poisoning; Bacteremia with sepsis

This disorder must be treated in a hospital, usually with admission to an intensive care unit.

Intravenous (IV) fluids are given to maintain the blood pressure . Strong IV drugs called sympathomimetics are often needed to maintain the blood pressure. Oxygen therapy is begun to maintain oxygen saturation.

The infection is treated with broad spectrum antibiotics (those that are effective against a wide range of organisms) before the organism is identified. Once cultures have identified the specific organism that is responsible for the infection, antibiotics that are specific for that organism are begun.

Plasma or other treatment may be needed for correction of clotting abnormalities.

Septic shock has a high death rate, exceeding 50%, depending on the type of organism involved. The organism involved and how quickly the patient is hospitalized will determine the outcome.

• irreversible shock
• Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
• adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Septicemia is not common but is devastating. Early recognition may prevent progression to shock.

• Any child with fever, shaking chills, and who looks acutely ill should be seen immediately as an emergency.
• Any child with evidence of bleeding into his skin should be seen immediately as an emergency.
• Any child who has been ill and has any changes in mental status should be seen immediately as an emergency.

Call your health care provider if your child is not current on vaccinations or has not had immunizations for Haemophilus influenza B, commonly referred to as a HIB shot. If your child has a damaged spleen from any disease or has had it removed, schedule an appointment for an immunization against pneumococcal disease.

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.