#4 CH.20- Septicemia/"Sepsis"

type of disease

• usually bacterial

• a.k.a “bacteremia” in a clinical setting

caused by…

• MANY different bacteria

• bacteria grow in bloodstream

  • doesn’t mean “full-fledged” sepsis

how microbes infiltrate

• microbes gain access in many ways

  • infections in tissues → bloodstream or through puncture wound

S&Sx

• may cause septic shock (often Gram-Neg)

  • bacteria in bloodstream → sepsis

  • sudden dramatic drop in blood pressure

  • Endotoxin Shock (Lipid A) from killing a lot of Gram-Neg bacteria

• may present with lymphangitis

  • look inside arm | red streakiness from swollen vessels

Tx

• antibiotics (often IV)