Guidelines
Septicaemia

Septicaemia

Background

Blood infection due to various bacteria which may be associated with infection in specific sites (e.g. lungs, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract) or there may be no specific focus. It is life threatening because it can progress into multi-organ dysfunction and septic shock

  • Extremes of age (children, elderly)
  • Diabetes, cancer, immunosuppression
  • Hospital admission
  • Community acquired pneumonia
  • Fever, prostration (extreme tiredness)
  • Hypotension, anaemia
  • Toxic shock is a complication
  • Signs and symptoms of the primary site of infection (e.g. pneumonia)
  • Severe cerebral malaria
  • Meningitis
  • Typhoid fever (enteric fever)
  • Infective endocarditis
  • Look for possible primary source of infection
  • Blood: WBC count, culture and sensitivity

Management

Septicaemia is a life threatening condition

Refer to hospital after pre-referral dose of antibiotics