When someone close to you is sick, worrying about the name of the illness is the least of your priority. Your attention is focused on how they will soon recover.
The Difference Between Sepsis and Septicemia
We may have heard it from someone we know, a co-worker, or we may have seen it on the internet, but sepsis and septicemia are two different terms that must not be interchanged. Let us learn their differences and understand the correct use of these two medical terms.
Septicemia and Its Difference to Sepsis
Septicemia, also known as blood poisoning, is a condition where bacteria invade the bloodstream. The body’s response is sepsis, where the immune system will try to fight off bacteria by releasing chemicals that affect not only harmful invaders but even the healthy tissues. [1]
Septicemia is an infection while sepsis isn’t. A person with septicemia may experience sepsis which is the body’s immune system response to infection. It is no wonder that sepsis and septicemia are often thought to be the same because sepsis also leads to symptoms that a person with septicemia has.
The Difference Between Sepsis and Infection
Sepsis is a response of our body when an infection is trying to weaken our body’s immune system. The immune system starts to circulate chemicals throughout the body to fight off the infection. [2] These chemicals do not only kill the infection it also targets healthy tissues that can cause inflammation throughout the body. This can lead to other life-threatening conditions like organ failure, tissue damage, or worst, death.
Infection happens when a disease-causing agent like bacteria, virus, fungi, or parasite enters the body. When any of these agents enter the body, a person can get sick as it kills “good” cells while they multiply and invade different parts of the body. The body’s response when these disease-causing agents try to multiply and invade the body is called sepsis.
Sepsis vs Septic Shock
Understanding that sepsis is our body’s response to infection is one thing, but it is possible for someone with an extreme level of sepsis. Septic shock is life-threatening to anyone who experiences it. It happens when the blood pressure drops too low, possibly leading to multiple organ failures. Also, an extreme level of sepsis puts someone at a higher risk of infection. Signs of progression to septic shock include:
- Medication is required to keep systolic blood pressure more than or at least 65mm Hg.
- There is a high level of lactic acid found in the blood. The presence of too much lactic acid in the blood means that oxygen is not properly used by cells. [3]
What Is the Difference Between Septicemia and Bacteremia?
Bacteremia is a condition where there is a presence of bacteria in the blood. Septicemia is also a condition where bacteria enter and multiply in the bloodstream. Although they may seem identical because of the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, bacteremia is less threatening than septicemia. [4]
The amount of bacteria present in the bloodstream is less in bacteremia compared to septicemia. Another notable difference is that there are no toxins produced in bacteremia while bacterias found in septicemia produce toxins. People with bacteremia can heal on their own while people with septicemia are required to take medications like antibiotics to fight off the infection.
What Causes Septicemia?
Septicemia is mostly caused by an infection in a certain part of the body. Most bacteria that enter the body can cause septicemia. Although it is not yet clear which bacterial species can cause septicemia, there are infections in our body that can cause septicemia, such as:
- Infections in the abdomen area
- Urinary tract infections
- Lung infection, like pneumonia
- Kidney infections
Aside from infections, patients in the hospital are more likely to develop septicemia. This includes:
- Patients who have undergone surgeries
- Patients with severe wounds
- Those who have compromised immune systems, such as those who have leukemia or HIV
- People who have urinary or intravenous catheters
Some infection-causing agents also cause septicemias, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and E.coli.
Septicemia vs Sepsis Symptoms
A person with septicemia may immediately experience chills, fast breathing, fever, and rapid heart rate. Severe symptoms of septicemia may soon show if not treated right away, these can be:
- Confusion
- Red dots start to show on the skin
- Increased in urine volume
- Shock
- Insufficient blood flow
Because septicemia is a life-threatening condition, they must get treatment in a medical facility and not only home remedies.
There are different parts of the body where sepsis may originate so different symptoms may appear. This includes:
- Abnormal heart rate
- High fever or low body temperature
- Disorientation or hard to focus
- Rapid or shortness of breath
- Sweaty or warm skin
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
The symptoms mentioned above may seem like other health conditions, which is why it’s important to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis. [6]
How To Prevent Septicemia?
Septicemia is an infection that can be available almost anywhere. We can prevent the development of septicemia by performing these measures: [8]
- Getting recommended vaccinations regularly
- Regular hand washing
- Taking care of wounds, burns, and keeping them clean and covered
- Follow the recommended medical advice for chronic health conditions like diabetes
Conclusion
Septicemia and sepsis are two related medical terms that are both life-threatening and should not be taken lightly. We hope that this article sheds light on the difference between sepsis and septicemia, so you can now use them correctly and understand various medical conditions better.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, April 29). Sepsis is a medical emergency. ACT FAST. Retrieved August 20, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/what-is-sepsis.html
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2019, November 19). Septicemia. Retrieved August 20, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/septicemia
- Gyawali, B., Ramakrishna, K., & Dhamoon, A. S. (2019). Sepsis: The evolution in definition, pathophysiology, and management. SAGE open medicine, 7, 2050312119835043. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312119835043
- Mahapatra, S., & Heffner, A. C. (2022). Septic Shock. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
- Smith, D. A., & Nehring, S. M. (2022). Bacteremia. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
