Blood inflammation: its symptoms, causes and serious complications
It is considered blood inflammation; One of the most dangerous diseases that can affect humans, which requires rapid intervention for immediate treatment and a clear treatment plan. Learn about the symptoms, causes, and methods of diagnosis and treatment of this infection in this article.
What is blood inflammation and its types?
It is a blood disease that occurs when the bloodstream becomes infected with a bacterial infection that can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. These germs can be transmitted to the bloodstream through injections, catheters, or through blood transfusionThe scientific name for this inflammation is Sepsis or Sepsisand is sometimes called too Septicemia.
During this disease, the immune system releases a lot of chemicals into the blood that cause inflammation that spreads to the different organs of the body, causing damage. There are 3 stages of blood inflammation, the first stage is simple inflammation, the second stage is acute sepsis, and the third stage is septic shock.
Symptoms of blood inflammation
Symptoms are divided according to each stage or type of sepsis or sepsis as follows:
Symptoms of simple septicemia
- A high temperature of more than 38°C or a low temperature of less than 36°C.
- High heart rate of more than 90 beats per minute.
- Respiratory rate of more than 20 breaths (inhalation and exhalation) per second.
- The appearance of symptoms of an infection in the body.
Symptoms of acute sepsis
At least two of the following symptoms must be present for acute sepsis to be diagnosed:
- The appearance of colorless spots on the skin.
- Change in mental abilities.
- Breathing problems.
- Decreased frequency or amount of urine.
- heart disturbances
- Chills due to hypothermia.
- Unconsciousness.
- severe weakness
Symptoms of septic shock
Septic shock is often the cause of death, and this stage is preceded by the appearance of symptoms of acute sepsis with low blood pressure, with which it is necessary to quickly go to the emergency room to save the patient’s life.
Causes of blood inflammation and risk factors
Unfortunately, any bacterial or viral infection can have complications that lead to blood transmission, but the most common types of infections that cause it are:
risk factors
Of course, not everyone who develops a bacterial or viral infection can develop sepsis, but there are some factors that can increase the risk of infection, such as:
- Elderly people over 65 years old or very young children under one year old.
- Weakened immune system.
- Having diabetes or cirrhosis of the liver.
- Being in the hospital, especially in intensive care, as a result of a severe illness.
- Severe cuts or burns.
- Using medical tools in the body such as intravenous catheters or tubes that help breathing.
- Getting earlier on some antibiotics or a corticosteroid.
Diagnosis of inflammation in the blood
We must emphasize the speed of going to the doctor with the appearance of at least two of the symptoms that we mentioned so that the disease does not reach a serious and life-threatening stage. After the physical examination, the doctor will order some tests that reveal:
Is blood infection dangerous?
It can be really life threatening if it is ignored and not treated in the necessary time, and it can lead to dangerous complications such as:
- Kidney failure.
- Amputation of limbs as a result of gangrene.
- Lung, brain or heart damage.
- Exposure to any infection for life.
Treatment and prevention of blood inflammation
Mostly, emergency treatment takes place in the hospital, depending on the patient’s age, general condition, and medical history, as well as how bad the condition is and the stage the infection has reached. Emergency treatment includes the following:
- Intravenous injection of antibiotics.
- Ensure and work to deliver blood flow to the organs of the body.
- Treatment of the main source of infection causing inflammation.
- Supplying the body with oxygen through respirators.
- In some cases, dialysis may be required.
- Surgery may be used to remove damaged tissue in affected organs.
As for prevention of this condition in the first place, it is definitely better than treatment, so follow the following tips:
- Wash your hands well with soap and water for 20 seconds after using the bathroom and before and after eating and preparing meals.
- Make sure to get the necessary vaccinations on time, especially children’s vaccinations.
- If you have a chronic disease, make sure you keep it under control.
- If you get a burn or cut on the skin, make sure you clean it well and get first aid for burns and first aid for cuts properly.
- Make sure you get proper treatment in case of infection and follow your doctor’s instructions.
Finally, you should consult a doctor in the event that your health condition does not improve after treatment for any infection, so that the infection does not pass into the bloodstream and cause inflammation of the blood and its complications, God forbid.