Amputation for bacterial infection in blood © 2025

Amputation for bacterial infection in blood

Blood infections, also known as sepsis, can be fatal if not treated immediately. This is why it’s crucial to know the warning signs of sepsis and how to stop it in its tracks. Blood infections occur when your body is experiencing a severe reaction to an illness. People 65 or younger than 1 are more at risk for sepsis than others. If you can spot the warning signs of a blood infection quickly, it can potentially save your life.

Blood infection

Bacteria are an important part of our environment and our bodies. While most of them are harmless or even helpful, bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) can cause infection. There are several types of infections that can be caused. If you have sepsis symptoms like fever, rash, rapid heartbeat, or confusion, you should seek medical care immediately, because a blood infection can be deadly.

Known in medical terms as sepsis, it happens when bacteria that are causing an infection in another part of your body enter your bloodstream. Sepsis can be a life-threatening infection, especially if it’s left untreated.

Blood infections are typically the last thing we think about when we’re sick. However, certain groups are more at risk for sepsis than others. Those immunocompromised, have diabetes, were recently hospitalized, or have preexisting conditions are susceptible to blood infections. Doctors will typically monitor patients who present a higher risk for sepsis. But knowing the symptoms of a blood infection could save a life.

Types of bacterial infections in the blood

Bacteria are a natural, healthy part of our bodies, especially in certain areas like the skin or gut. These areas are known as microbiomes. Science still hasn’t determined whether healthy humans have a blood microbiome (naturally occurring bacteria in the blood).

However, when certain bacteria get into the bloodstream, they can cause a bacterial infection in the blood. While terms like “septicemia,” “sepsis,” “blood infection,” and “blood poisoning” are sometimes used interchangeably, there are important differences among them, such as:

Bacteremia: is a term meaning a bacterial infection of the blood.

Sepsis: is the term for a life-threatening inflammatory response.

Septicemia: is another term for “sepsis,” but is not used in the medical community.

Septic shock: is a rapid, life-threatening drop in blood pressure caused by sepsis.

Blood poisoning: is a non-medical term used to describe any infection of the blood. This term is often used interchangeably with septicemia.

Blood infection: is a general term for any infection of the blood. This is most typically septicemia, but can also include blood infections caused by viruses.

Those who are more at risk include:

People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, AIDS, or leukemia.
Young children.
Older adults.
People who use intravenous drugs such as heroin.
People with poor dental hygiene.
Those using a catheter.
People who’ve had recent surgery or dental work.
Those working in an environment with great exposure to bacteria or viruses, such as in a hospital or outdoors.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a bacterial infection in the blood are the same as those of blood poisoning. They include:

Fever and chills.
Sweating.
Pain and discomfort.
Racing heart or fast heartbeat.
Rapid breathing.
Confusion or disorientation.
Light-headedness and dizziness.

If you experience these symptoms, you should see a healthcare provider immediately. If your blood infection goes untreated.

It can lead to more severe symptoms of sepsis, including:

Widespread inflammation.
Blood clots.
Organ failure.
Decreased urine output.
Worsening symptoms of blood poisoning.
Eventually, you could experience symptoms of septic shock, including severe pain, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.

Causes of bacterial infections in the blood

Bacterial infections in the blood almost always develop after you’ve had another infection somewhere else in your body. Since your immune system is weakened from the original infection, it’s less effective at fighting off the blood infection.

A bacterial infection in your blood is known medically as bacteremia. This often leads to a more serious condition called sepsis, which is an inflammatory reaction throughout the body. Sepsis can be life-threatening, especially if you develop septic shock, which can cause an extreme drop in blood pressure and organ failure.

If you have an infection that gets worse, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately to avoid life-threatening complications.

Such infections most commonly occur in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. Sepsis happens more often in people who are hospitalized, where the risk of infection is already higher. Because blood poisoning occurs when bacteria enter your bloodstream in conjunction with another infection, you won’t develop sepsis without having an infection first.

Some common causes of infections that can cause sepsis include:

Abdominal infection
An infected insect bite
Central line infection, such as from a dialysis catheter or chemotherapy catheter
Dental extractions or infected teeth
Exposure of a covered wound to bacteria during surgical recovery, or not changing a surgical bandage frequently enough
Exposure of any open wound to the environment
Infection by drug-resistant bacteria
Kidney or urinary tract infection
Pneumonia
Skin infection