The symptoms of blood infection may vary depending on the kind of infection you have, although some of the common symptoms include headache, low blood pressure, and nausea. This article provides information regarding the same.
If a preexisting infection spreads through the blood stream it can lead to sepsis (blood Infection), which can be fatal. If bacteria from an infected area of the body spill over into the blood stream, they get carried throughout the system. This condition is also commonly known as blood poisoning. The causes of blood infection may involve virus and fungi, which may spread from a localized infection into the blood stream.
Risk Factors of Sepsis
People who have weak immune system are vulnerable to spread of bacteria and viruses into the blood stream. Young babies whose immune systems aren’t fully developed are susceptible to sepsis. Also, it is very hard to detect this condition in children. Elderly people are also at risk of getting this infection as their immune system weakens with age. People with infections that affect the immune system like, AIDS, are also prone to this condition.
Symptoms
The symptoms of sepsis are similar to pneumonia or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). The patient might experience fever and chills simultaneously, and these could be really severe at times. The infected person may also experience palpitations, irregular breathing, and debilitating weakness.
A MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) blood infection symptom that is visible to the naked eye is red sores on the skin. These can occur suddenly and can look ghastly. The area around the sores also becomes sensitive, and the infected person will experience a burning sensation. This is due to the infection of the skin and the tissue beneath the skin.
Abscess, which is accumulation of pus, occurs under the layer of the skin. Sometimes, the abscesses may not be painful; however; they will cause considerable swelling around the area. The skin will also become tender and sensitive. If pressure is exerted on the swollen area, it will cause stabbing pain.
Due to bacterial sepsis the patient will feel disoriented and will tend to lose bearings. The person’s depth perception might also get affected. The disease will also cause dizziness, and all this might contribute to the irritability factor that is seen in such patients.
Some patients will also experience severe trembling, and it can be a very frightening sight for the family members. Chest pain is another symptom, which many infected people experience.
One of the most common symptoms is headache although it can be overlooked or mistaken for various others factors. The patient may also experience muscle ache as the body is not able to supply oxygenated blood.
Rash is one of the other visible symptoms of severe sepsis, and it can be painful at times. Blood infection in children will lead to periods of vomiting and nausea.
After a person shows some symptoms, doctors will generally take blood and urine samples to confirm an infection in the blood stream. Samples of pus from wounds will be tested, and the doctors will also take samples of spinal fluid. Since the disease is life-threatening, the treatment is generally given under hospital settings.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.