- Fever, fast breathing, and rapid heart rate may signal septicemia.
- Low blood pressure, confusion, or fainting are urgent warning signs.
- Sudden worsening symptoms may indicate life-threatening septic shock.
Septicemia, also known as sepsis, is a serious condition caused by the body’s extreme response to a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. This reaction can lead to inflammation throughout the body and affect how vital organs function.
Common symptoms of septicemia include fever, low blood pressure, rapid breathing, fast heart rate, and confusion. These symptoms can appear suddenly and vary depending on the cause of the infection and a person’s overall health.
Septicemia requires urgent hospital treatment, often with IV antibiotics, fluids, and medications to stabilize blood pressure. It can develop from infections like pneumonia or urinary tract infections and may progress to septic shock if not treated quickly.
Common symptoms
The main symptoms of septicemia are:
- Fever above 38ºC (or 100.4ºF)
- Systolic blood pressure (top number) less than 90 mmHg
- Rapid respiratory rate, over 20 breaths per minutes
- Rapid heart rate, with more than 90 beats per minute
- Decreased urine output
- Fainting or mental confusion
Septicemia symptoms can appear very suddenly and are most common following a surgery or if the body is fighting an infection.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), common signs of sepsis include fever, fast heart rate, rapid breathing, and confusion, and the condition can progress to septic shock and organ failure if not treated promptly. Septic shock is characterized by a sharp decrease in blood pressure that is not resolved with IV fluids.
Confirming a diagnosis
The diagnosis of septicemia should be confirmed in a hospital setting. The doctor will order blood tests like a complete blood count (CBC), serum lactate levels, arterial blood gasses (ABGs), and clotting factors.
The doctor will also order blood cultures to identify the microorganism causing the infection, which helps guide the most appropriate treatment.
Main causes
Septicemia can develop in anyone with an untreated localized infection, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), intestinal infection, or pneumonia.
It is more common in newborns (in which case it is called neonatal septicemia) and in older adults, because these groups are more likely to have a compromised immune system.
Other people at higher risk of developing septicemia include those with severe burns or wounds, people who use a urinary catheter, and those with a pre‑existing autoimmune disease.
Treatment options
Most cases of septicemia are caused by bacteria, so doctors usually prescribe intravenous (IV) antibiotics to treat the infection. According to the CDC, sepsis is a medical emergency, and people with suspected sepsis should be evaluated and treated immediately, typically with rapid antibiotics and supportive care.
The initial antibiotic is usually a broad-spectrum option, meaning it can treat many different types of bacteria. Once blood culture results identify the specific bacteria causing the infection, the doctor can switch to a more targeted antibiotic that is likely to be more effective.
Infections caused by fungi, viruses, or other microorganisms require targeted antimicrobial treatment to ensure they are properly controlled.
Throughout treatment, IV fluids are also given to help stabilize blood pressure. In more serious cases, the doctor may additionally prescribe vasopressor medications to keep blood pressure within normal limits.