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Septicemia - Overview

Alternative Names

Blood poisoning; Bacteremia with sepsis

Definition of Septicemia:

Septicemia is the presence of bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) and is often associated with severe disease.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Septicemia is a serious, life-threatening infection that gets worse very quickly. It can arise from infections throughout the body, including infections in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. It may come before or at the same time as infections of the bone (osteomyelitis), central nervous system (meningitis), or other tissues.

  • Reviewed last on: 7/25/2007
  • Kenneth M. Wener, MD, Department of Infectious Diseases. Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.