What Is Sepsis?

Sepsis (Greek sepsis= putrefaction, decay) is an exaggerated response of body’s immune system to an infection, like severe pneumonia or cellulitis, which has spread to the blood; it is also called blood infection. If treatment does not start promptly, sepsis may be deadly.

NOTE: Bacteremia, viremia, fungemia or parasitemia refer only to a presence of microbes in the blood, which by themselves rarely causes any symptoms, while sepsis is always a serious condition with detectable inflammation in the blood and obvious symptoms. Check what septic means.

continue reading Blood Infection or Sepsis – Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Treatment

What is Shock?

Shock is the a severe dysfunction or failure in the circulation, meaning that adequate blood is not flowing or sufficient oxygen is not reaching the cells, tissues or organs. Shock is considered to be a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention, failing which, death may occur.

continue reading Signs & Symptoms of Shock – Types & Treatment

Septic (pronounced septik, from Greek sepein = to rot, putrefy), literally means rotten.

In medicine, a term septic may have different meanings:

1. Septic - contaminated by microbes, as opposed to aseptic – microbes free, sterile.
2. Septic system, including septic tank, is a system for wastewater and sewage disposal.
3. Septic infection is an infection with localized pus collection in particular organ. Examples are septic wound, septic arthritis, septic meningitis, septic pleural effusion, etc.
4. Septicemia may, to some, mean bacteremia, and to others sepsis, what may be quite confusing, so finding out exact meaning of septicemia from the context of particular health text is important.
5. Sepsis or blood infection is a serious health condition, in which microbes invade the blood (usually from existing severe infection, like pneumonia) and trigger high fever, rapid breathing and heartbeat.
6. Septic shock is a life threatening condition with a sudden, severe drop in blood pressure during sepsis.