Sepsis (blood poisoning) is a potentially deadly infection with signs and symptoms that include elevated heart rate, low or high temperature, rapid breathing and/or a white blood cell count that is too high or too low and has more than 10% band cells. Most cases of sepsis are caused by bacterial infections, and some cases are caused by fungal infections. Treatment requires hospitalization, IV antibiotics, and therapy to treat any organ dysfunction. Read more: Sepsis Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
MRSA Quiz: Infection Symptoms & Treatment
It's the MRSA Quiz! For the carriers among us, you'd be surprised that the infectious superbug is lurking on this body part! Take...
-
Blood and Bleeding Disorders Quiz
Exactly what is sickle cell anemia? Learn about sickle cell and other diseases by testing your IQ with the Blood and Bleeding...
-
What Is a Staph Infection? Symptoms, Pictures
Do you know what a staph infection is? Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of staph infections (Staphylococcus...
-
Bladder Infections: UTI Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
Urinary tract infections (UTI), including bladder infections, affect women and men, causing UTI symptoms like kidney infection....
Related Disease Conditions
-
Burns (First Aid)
Burn types are based on their severity: first-degree burns, second-degree burns, and third-degree burns. First-degree burns are...
-
Fever
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 F (37 C), in practice, a person is usually not...
-
Gallstones (Pain, Symptoms, Causes, Diet, and Treatment)
Gallstones are stones that form when substances in the bile harden. Gallstones (formed in the gallbladder) can be as small as...
-
Meningitis
Encephalitis is a brain inflammation that causes sudden fever, vomiting, headache, light sensitivity, stiff neck and back,...
-
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Symptoms and signs include cough, fever, shortness...
-
Seizure (Epilepsy)
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which the person has seizures. There are two kinds of seizures, focal and generalized. There are...
-
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. E. coli, a type of bacteria that...
-
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Readings, and Treatments
Low blood pressure, also referred to as hypotension, is blood pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the...
-
Cough (Chronic, Persistent Cough in Adults and Children)
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic...
-
Group B Strep
Group B strep are bacteria called Streptococcus agalactiae that may sometimes cause infections both in a pregnant woman and her...
-
Staph Infection (Staphylococcus Aureus)
Staphylococcus or staph is a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases. Staph infections can cause illness...
-
Hydronephrosis
Hydronephrosis describes swelling of the kidney resulting from the inability of urine to drain from the kidney into the bladder....
-
E. coli (0157:H7) (Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention)
There are many types of E. coli (Escherichia coli). E. coli can cause urinary tract and bladder infections, or lead to sepsis. E...
-
Meningococcemia
Meningococcemia is a bloodstream infection caused by Neisseria meningitides. Meningococcemia symptoms include fever, headache,...
-
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a medical condition in which the muscle of the stomach is paralyzed by a disease of either the stomach muscle...
-
Kidney Failure (Symptoms, Signs, Stages, Causes, and Treatment)
Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss,...
-
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an acute spreading bacterial infection below the surface of the skin characterized by redness, warmth,...
-
Pericoronitis
Pericoronitis is inflammation of the gum tissue around the molars. Pericoronitis commonly occurs in teens or young people when...
-
Snake Bite (Snake Bite)
There are venomous (poisonous) and nonvenomous (nonpoisonous) snakes. A venomous snake bite penetrates the skin and injects,...
-
ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a lung condition in which trauma to the lungs leads to inflammation of the lungs,...
-
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection is the most common type of infection acquired by patients while hospitalized....
-
MRSA
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria causes skin infections with the following signs and symptoms:...
-
Shock (Medical)
Medical shock is a life-threatening medical condition. There are several types of medical shock, including: septic shock,...
-
Salmonella
Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) is typically caused by the consumption of contaminated foods. Symptoms of salmonellosis...
-
Bug Bites and Stings
Bug bites and stings have been known to transmit insect-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever,...
-
Hypothermia
Hyothermia or extreme exposure to cold can be classified as either accidental hypothermia (unintentional cold exposure) and...
-
Gangrene
Gangrene may result when blood flow to a tissue is lost or not adequate to keep the tissue alive. There are two types of...
-
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis is also known as a flesh-eating bacterial infection, Fournier's gangrene, suppurative fasciitis, and...
-
Phlebitis
Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein. Thrombophlebitis is when a blood clot causes the inflammation. Phlebitis can be...
-
Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary edema (swelling or fluid in the lungs) can either be caused by cardiogenic causes (congestive heart failure, heart...
-
Internal Bleeding (Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Treatment)
Internal bleeding occurs when an artery or vein is damaged and blood to escapes the circulatory system and collects inside the...
-
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. Potential causes include injections around the bone, fractures that puncture the skin,...
-
Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a condition in which one or more extremities become swollen as the result of an impaired flow of the lymphatic...
-
NDM-1
NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase) is an enzyme produced by certain strains of bacteria that have recently acquired the...
-
Fatigue (Symptoms, Causes, Treatment)
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental...
-
Scarlet Fever (Scarlatina)
Scarlet fever, a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria, causes symptoms and signs such as fever, rash with...
-
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
Bladder infection is an infection of the bladder, usually caused by bacteria or, rarely, by Candida. Certain people, including...
-
CRE Infection (Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae)
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is a type of bacteria that is highly resistant to antibiotics. Escherichia coli (E....
-
Newborn Jaundice (Neonatal Jaundice)
Newborn jaundice or neonatal jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the mucous membranes, whites of the eyes, and skin of a...
-
Is Salmonella Contagious?
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause a variety of diseases. Salmonella can be transmitted via direct and indirect contact....
-
Is Sepsis Contagious?
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening infection that may be caused by: bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. Sepsis...
-
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is a bacterial infection inside of the abdomen. Some doctors choose to group the causes of peritonitis into five...
-
Candida auris (C. auris)
Candida auris (C. auris) is a yeast that is resistant to many antifungal medications. Most C. auris infections occur in...
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Fatigue, Tiredness, and Lethargy
- Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)
- Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor's Appointment
- How to Choose a Doctor
- Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment
- Confusion
- Hyperventilation
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Altered Mental Status
- Pale Skin
- Thirst
- Hypothermia
- Low Urine Output
- Neonatal Jaundice
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
- Delirium
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
- New Hope in Saving Kids From Blood Infection Sepsis
- Health Tip: Recognizing Sepsis
- 3 Factors That Could Raise Your Risk of Bloodstream Infection
- Heart Risk Up if Hospitalized for Pneumonia or Sepsis
- Hospital Protocol Helps Thwart Serious Infection
- Overcrowded ERs Risky for Some Seriously Ill Patients
- Far Fewer Kids Are Dying Worldwide, but Gains Are Uneven
- Infections More Common in People With Schizophrenia
- 'Eraser Challenge' Latest Harmful Social Media Trend for Kids
- Rude, Disrespectful Surgeons May Also Be More Error-Prone: Study
- Research on U.S. Gun Violence Still a Low Priority, Study Finds
- Nearly 2 Million Lbs of Chicken Recalled
- Anti-Inflammatory Agent in Cord Blood Shows Promise in Mice
- FDA Approves New Biological Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Patients May Quickly Lose Beneficial Gut Bacteria in the ICU
- Fast Action Can Prevent Sepsis Death: CDC
- A New Antibiotic to the Rescue?
- Top 5 Costly Inpatient Conditions for Hospitals
- Skin-to-Skin Contact May Lower Preemies' Risk of Death: Review
- Extreme Exercising Can Lead to Blood Poisoning, Study Reveals
- Recent Hospitalization Might Raise Blood Infection Risk, Study Says
- Researchers Hone in on Genes Linked to Serious Blood Infection
- Simpler Antibiotic Regimen Helps Sick Babies in Developing Nations
- Hospitalizations After Severe Blood Infections May Be Preventable
- Heat Stroke, Kidney Failure Help Drive Illnesses From Extreme Heat
- Bed Position Matters for Stroke Patients, Report Shows
- FDA Approves New Vaccine to Protect Against Meningitis
- CDC: 4 People With Enterovirus D68 Have Died
- Long ICU Stays May Alter Gut Microbes
- 'Biospleen' Suggests New Way to Treat Blood Infection
- Better Survival From Blood Infections at High-Volume Hospitals
- Obese More Likely to Survive Serious Bloodstream Infection
- Some Home Tattoo Kits Recalled Due to Infection Risk
- With ERs, the Busier, the Better, Study Finds
- Blood Infections Play Role in Up to Half of Hospital Deaths: Study
- Injuries From Swallowed Magnets on the Rise in Kids, Study Finds
- Many Hospitals Ineffectively Treat Bloodstream Infections, Study Suggests
- E. Coli 'Superbug' May Pose Major Health Threat: Study
- Severe Blood Infections During Childbirth on Rise in U.S. Women
- Health Tip: Chickenpox May Lead to Complications
- Protecting Lungs During Abdominal Surgery May Decrease Complications
- Lullabies Soothe Preemies, Parents Alike
- Complications From Kidney Stone Surgery Rising, Study Finds
- Stress Disorder May Be Common Among ICU Patients on Ventilators
- Multiple Tests Needed to Spot Infections in Newborns: Study
- Fraudulent Data May Have Led to Use of Risky Treatment in ICUs
- Scientists Explore How Zinc Fights Off Infection
- Which Hospital Patients Need Drugs to Prevent Gastrointestinal Bleeding?
- Swallowed Toothpicks Can Lead to Big Trouble, Experts Warn
- Health Tip: Do I Need the Meningococcal Vaccine?
- Reported Decline in U.S. Pneumonia Deaths May Be False: Study
- Hospitals Ranked for Emergency Medicine Quality
- New Meningitis Vaccine Works in Infants: Study
- Antibiotics in Pregnancy May Shield Newborns From Strep B
- Severe Sepsis Can Harm the Immune System
- Health Highlights: Oct. 26, 2011
- FDA: Osteoporosis Drug Reclast Ups Kidney Failure Risk
- Screening for Sepsis Could Save Lives, Researchers Say
- Hospital-Acquired Sepsis, Pneumonia a 'Growing Menace'
- Two Sepsis Treatments Look Equally Effective
- Intensive Insulin Therapy Won't Boost Septic Shock Survival
- Adding Fish Oil to IV May Speed Sepsis Recovery
- Standard Septic Shock Treatments Ineffective
Subscribe to MedicineNet's General Health Newsletter
By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.
