About all

How to get blood infection: What is Sepsis? | Sepsis

by alexxlab

Sepsis (Blood Infection): Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Written by Mary Anne Dunkin

  • What Is Sepsis?
  • Sepsis Causes and Risk Factors
  • Sepsis Symptoms
  • Sepsis Diagnosis
  • Sepsis Treatment
  • Sepsis Complications
  • Sepsis Prevention
  • More

 

Sepsis is when your body has an unusually severe response to an infection. It’s sometimes called septicemia.

During sepsis, your immune system, which defends you from germs, releases a lot of chemicals into your blood. This triggers widespread inflammation that can lead to organ damage. Clots reduce blood flow to your limbs and internal organs, so they don’t get the nutrients and oxygen they need.

In severe cases, sepsis causes a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Doctors call this “septic shock.” It can quickly lead to organ failure, such as your lungs, kidneys, and liver. This can be deadly.

 

Bacterial infections are most often to blame for sepsis. But it can also happen because of other infections. It can begin anywhere bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses enter your body, even something as small as a hangnail.

An infection of the bone, called osteomyelitis, could lead to sepsis. In people who are hospitalized, bacteria may enter through IV lines, surgical wounds, urinary catheters, and bed sores.

Sepsis is more common in people who:

  • Have weakened immune systems because of conditions like HIV or cancer or because they take drugs such as steroids or those that prevent rejection of transplanted organs
  • Are pregnant
  • Are very young
  • Are elderly, especially if they have other health problems
  • Were recently hospitalized or had major surgeries
  • Use catheters or breathing tubes
  • Have diabetes
  • Have a serious medical condition such as appendicitis, pneumonia, meningitis, cirrhosis, or a urinary tract infection

Because it can begin in different parts of your body, sepsis can have many different symptoms. The first signs may include rapid breathing and confusion. Other common symptoms include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Very low body temperature
  • Peeing less than usual
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Blotchy or discolored skin
  • Sweating or clammy skin
  • Severe pain

Your doctor will do a physical exam and run tests to look for things like:

  • Bacteria in your blood or other body fluids
  • Signs of infection on an X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound
  • A high or low white blood cell count
  • A low number of platelets in your blood
  • Low blood pressure
  • Too much acid in your blood (acidosis)
  • A lack of oxygen in your blood
  • Problems with how your blood clots
  • Uneven levels of electrolytes
  • Kidney or liver problems

Your doctor will probably keep you in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). Your medical team will try to stop the infection, keep your organs working, and manage your blood pressure. IV fluids and extra oxygen can help with this.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics may fight infections caused by bacteria early on. Once your doctor knows what’s causing your sepsis, they can give you medicine that targets that specific germ. Often, doctors prescribe vasopressors (which make your blood vessels narrow) to improve blood pressure. You could also get corticosteroids to fight inflammation or insulin to keep control of your blood sugar.

If your case is severe, you might need other types of treatment, like a breathing machine or kidney dialysis. Or you may need surgery to drain or clean out an infection.

As sepsis gets worse, it causes more problems throughout your body. These may include:

  • Kidney failure
  • Dead tissue (gangrene) on fingers and toes, leading to amputation
  • Lung, brain, or heart damage
  • A higher risk of infections over time

Sepsis can be deadly in between 25% and 40% of cases.  

Preventing infection is the best way to prevent sepsis. Take these steps:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
  • Keep up with recommended vaccines for things like flu and chickenpox.
  • Keep control of any chronic health conditions.
  • If you have an injury that’s broken your skin, clean it as soon as possible. Keep it clean and covered as it heals, and watch for signs of infection.
  • Treat any infections. Get medical care right away if they don’t get better or if they seem like they’re getting worse.

Top Picks

Blood Infection from Infusion, Injection, or Transfusion

What is a blood infection from infusion, injection, or transfusion?

Your blood can get infected when germs such as bacteria, or sometimes viruses or fungus, get into the bloodstream. This can happen when you have an IV catheter in place, or you get a shot into a blood vessel, or a blood transfusion. Sepsis is the medical term for an infection of the blood.

What is the cause?

Usually the infection is caused by bacteria. The blood may get infected when an IV line or shot is given through an infected area of skin or if an IV catheter (tube) is left in too long. There are always bacteria on the skin and on the surfaces of most objects. This is why healthcare providers clean the skin to kill bacteria before they give a shot or IV. They also use gloves and sterilized instruments and equipment to prevent spread of bacteria and viruses.

You have a higher risk of getting a blood infection if you have:

  • Cancer
  • AIDS/HIV
  • Long-term illness, such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung problems
  • An open wound (from injury, surgery, or a severe burn)

You are also at higher risk if you are taking medicines such as steroids or anticancer drugs. These medicines can make it harder for your body to fight infection. You may get a blood infection if an infection from another part of your body spreads to the injection site.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Body aches
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Dizziness or fainting when you stand up
  • Confusion, especially in older adults
  • Redness, swelling, or drainage of pus from any wounds, including where an IV goes into your skin
  • Increased pain at the site of infection or surgery

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You will have a blood test to look for signs of infection. Samples of fluid from the IV site may be sent to the lab and tested. If you have an infection, it may take several days to find out what kind of germ is causing it. Knowing what germ is causing the infection helps your provider choose the right medicine to treat it. You may also have a urine test and a chest X-ray to check for signs of infection.

How is it treated?

A blood infection is treated with IV medicine that will kill the germ causing the infection. You may also need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. In addition:

  • If you are taking an antibiotic, take the medicine for as long as your healthcare provider prescribes, even if you feel better. If you stop taking the medicine too soon, you may not kill all of the bacteria and you may get sick again.
  • Wash your hands well with soap and water after caring for any wounds, even when you have used gloves.
  • Ask your provider:
    • How and when you will hear test results
    • How long it will take to recover
    • If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
    • How to take care of yourself at home
  • What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

How can I help prevent a blood infection?

To reduce your risk of getting a blood infection:

  • Keep skin scrapes, wounds, and IV sites clean. Watch for possible signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, drainage, or pain. See your healthcare provider right away if a wound looks like it is infected.
  • Take care of your health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet and try to keep a healthy weight. If you smoke, try to quit. If you want to drink alcohol, ask your healthcare provider how much is safe for you to drink. Learn ways to manage stress. Exercise according to your healthcare provider’s instructions.

Adult Advisor 2015.1 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2014-09-24
Last reviewed: 2014-09-24

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

Copyright ©1986-2015 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

How is HIV not transmitted? – Udmurt AIDS Center

News and Articles, Frequently Asked Questions

  • Published

    Administrator

30

Jan

Fear HIV and AIDS raise concerns that are often exaggerated. People are afraid of contracting HIV through ordinary household contact. In fact, these fears are unfounded, and ordinary contact with people living with HIV / AIDS is absolutely safe. All routes of HIV transmission are well researched and scientifically proven.

When shaking hands, hugging, through sweat or tears, coughing and sneezing

Intact skin is a natural barrier to the virus, so it is impossible to transmit HIV through handshakes, hugs. And if there are abrasions, scratches, cuts and others? For at least a theoretical risk of HIV transmission in this case, it is necessary that a sufficient amount of blood containing HIV enters a fresh, open and bleeding wound. It is unlikely that you will get acquainted with someone bleeding by the hand if you are also gushing blood. In any case, we do not recommend that you do anything like this.

When sharing utensils, bedding, hygiene items or toilets

HIV can only be found in 4 body fluids: blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. HIV cannot be transmitted through clothes, bed linen, towels, even if a liquid containing HIV gets on clothes, linen, it will quickly die in the external environment. If HIV lived “outside” a person for many hours or even days, then, undoubtedly, there would be cases of domestic transmission, but they simply do not happen, at least this has not happened in more than 20 years of the epidemic.

In a pool, bath or sauna

If a liquid containing HIV enters the water, the virus will die, and again, the skin is a reliable barrier against the virus. The only way to get HIV in a swimming pool is to have sex there without a condom.

Insect bites, animal bites or other contact with animals

HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus, it can live and multiply only in the human body, therefore animals cannot transmit HIV. In addition, contrary to popular myth, human blood cannot enter someone else’s bloodstream when bitten by a mosquito.

While masturbating

How incredible it is, but there are people who are afraid of contracting HIV through masturbation. The only thing that can be said to this is: from whom, in this case, can it be transmitted?

By kissing

A lot has already been written about the fact that HIV is not transmitted by kissing. At the same time, there are people who are concerned about the issues of “wounds and abrasions” in the mouth. In real life, in order for this virus to be transmitted by kissing, two people with open bleeding wounds in their mouths must kiss long and deeply, while one of them must have not just HIV, but a very high viral load (the amount of virus in the blood ). It is unlikely that anyone will be able, and even want to, reproduce such a “sadistic” kiss in practice. If such a route of transmission were possible, there would be cases of HIV transmission by kissing, for example, in permanent discordant couples (in which only one of the partners has HIV). However, such cases do not occur.

When visiting a dentist, manicurist, hairdresser

Until now, in twenty years of the epidemic, HIV has not been transmitted either in a nail salon or at a dentist. This suggests that there is no practical risk of infection in these situations. The usual disinfection of instruments, which is carried out in salons or at the dentist, is enough to prevent infection.

During testing

It also happens that people who have been tested for HIV have fears that they could have been transmitted HIV directly during blood sampling in the testing room. Probably, this fear arises from association with HIV infections, but this is absolutely excluded. Blood is taken using a disposable instrument, and the reasoning that it was you who “changed” the syringe and so on is nothing more than suspiciousness.
Summing up, I would like to note that the ways of HIV transmission are well studied: through unprotected sexual contact, through injections with common equipment, from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. There are no other ways of transmitting HIV. It is not so “easy” for them to get infected, in all situations that present any risk of HIV transmission, each person can protect himself and his loved ones.

Why can’t mosquitoes transmit HIV?

Early epidemic

AIDS concerns have been raised that mosquitoes, bed bugs and other blood-sucking insects can carry HIV. However, studies conducted in a number of countries have shown that even in areas with a high incidence of HIV infection and a large number of bloodsucking insects, cases of infection in this way have not been detected. If such a route of transmission were possible, the geographical distribution of the epidemic would be completely different from what exists now. When a mosquito stings a person, it does not inject the blood of the previous victim, but its own saliva. Diseases such as yellow fever and malaria are transmitted through the saliva of certain mosquito species because the pathogens for these diseases can live and multiply in mosquito saliva. But HIV is not able to multiply in the body of a mosquito or any other bloodsucker, therefore, even if it enters the body of an insect, it does not survive and cannot infect anyone.

When playing sports together
When staying in the same room
Through a condom

Myths about HIV transmission and debunking

Published: 10.05.2022, 13:27

What should not be afraid of?

HIV infection: truth and common misconceptions.

There are many myths around HIV infection – some consider the disease to be the final verdict, someone is afraid to be near an HIV-positive person, mistakenly believing that HIV infection is transmitted through the air. Information is most often drawn from “companies of interest” and on sites of dubious content, and not from official sources. As a result, everyone suffers – both healthy people because they are afraid, and HIV-positive people because they are avoided or ignored.

Myth one:

An HIV-positive person is very different in appearance.

HIV-positive people are no different from ordinary people, since for a long time the disease does not manifest itself at all, in addition, HIV does not have specific clinical signs. You can only find out the HIV status of a person with an appropriate examination.

Myth two:

HIV infection can be contracted in everyday life.

In fact, HIV is not transmitted by airborne droplets – that is, by coughing and sneezing, as well as through handshakes and hugs with an HIV-positive person – intact skin serves as a reliable barrier to the virus. In addition, the virus is very quickly destroyed in the external environment. Therefore, HIV is not transmitted through a towel, clothes, bed linen, dishes.

Myth three:

HIV can be transmitted through saliva, sweat and tears.

The virus can indeed be found in these body fluids, but the amount of it in them is small – so there is no risk of infection under normal conditions. For example, in order for the dose of the virus in saliva to become sufficient for infection, three liters of saliva are needed, if the saliva is mixed with blood, then ten milliliters. If we talk about sweat, then a whole bath of sweat is needed for infection, in the case of tears, a whole pool.

Myth four:

HIV can be contracted in a swimming pool, sauna or bath.

As we said earlier, HIV is very unstable in the external environment and is quickly destroyed, therefore it is also impossible to get infected with HIV in such ways.

Myth five:

Children infected with HIV can infect a healthy child through shared play, such as biting. Therefore, such children should attend special kindergartens or schools, separate from healthy children.

Children don’t bite each other that often. In addition, a lot of saliva is needed to infect HIV, which is probably why such a case of infection has not been recorded in the entire history of the epidemic. All over the world, HIV-infected children attend regular schools and kindergartens and should not be isolated from healthy children.

Sixth myth:

Mosquitoes transmit HIV by biting.

If this myth were true, then probably the entire population of the world would be infected with HIV. While HIV cannot live and multiply in the body of a mosquito, in addition, too little virus fits on the proboscis of a mosquito, this amount is clearly not enough for infection.

Seventh myth:

A pregnant woman infected with HIV will definitely infect her child.

Indeed, such a way of HIV transmission exists. However, with the modern development of medicine, the correct treatment of a pregnant woman reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to a child to 2-3%.

Eighth myth:

The condom is guaranteed to protect against HIV transmission.

A condom can only reduce the risk of HIV infection by 95% if properly stored and used. It is especially important to observe the temperature regime during storage, do not use used condoms or condoms with damaged packaging. In medical practice, isolated cases of HIV infection in a couple are known, where one of the partners was infected with HIV and a condom was regularly used during sexual intercourse. Even the correct use and storage of a condom does not give a 100% guarantee of protection against HIV, but at this time, a condom is the most reliable means of protecting against HIV transmission during sexual contact.

HIV in everyday life. Safety regulations

HIV infection in everyday life is extremely rare, but it is possible. What rules should be followed to protect against household transmission of HIV?

As a rule, HIV-positive people are not dangerous to others through household contacts. Quite rarely, HIV can be contracted in everyday life, but since such a possibility really exists, it is better to know about it in advance.

How HIV can be transmitted in everyday life

HIV can be transmitted through blood. Moreover, for infection, it is necessary that the blood of an HIV-infected person enters directly into the blood of another person – HIV does not live outside the human body. Such a situation in everyday life can arise, for example, when sharing a razor and toothbrush with an HIV-positive person. Shaving often causes micro-cuts in the skin, and blood may remain on the razor. Domestic HIV infection through a razor really takes place in practice!

The same goes for the toothbrush. When brushing your teeth, your gums can bleed a lot. Using such a brush after an HIV-infected person can also lead to HIV infection.

In addition, contact with contaminated blood can occur when a person with HIV infection is cut. In this case, you need to treat the wound, stop the bleeding and apply a gauze bandage or adhesive plaster.

There are no other ways of household transmission of HIV.

Protection rules

To prevent household HIV infection, it is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene – always use only a personal toothbrush and razor. If there is a need for contact with the blood of an HIV-positive person, for example, when dressing a bleeding wound, it is necessary to do this with rubber gloves.

Legislative framework for HIV diagnostics.

Anonymity and confidentiality guaranteed!

HIV testing, like other medical care, is strictly regulated by the legislation of the Russian Federation. Knowing your rights will allow you to feel confident in any situation and prevent illegal actions against you.

Right to HIV testing

According to the Federal Law of March 30, 1995 No. 38-F3 “On Preventing the Spread in the Russian Federation of the Disease Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV Infection)”, all citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to be tested for HIV infection.

Testing is voluntary

HIV testing is voluntary. An exception applies to some contingents for which mandatory HIV testing is provided. Diagnosis is carried out after obtaining voluntary informed consent. Before obtaining consent, the medical worker must clearly explain to the patient the essence of the examination, possible risks, the right to refuse, and answer all questions of interest regarding the examination.

Examination fee

HIV testing is provided free of charge in the public health system. The same applies to anonymous surveys. For foreign citizens, the examination is paid.

Examination of minors and incapable persons

Children and adolescents under 16 years of age are tested for HIV at the request of a parent or legal guardian. The testing procedure for persons recognized as legally incompetent is also carried out at the request of the guardian. The issuance of test results and counseling on the results for children under 16 years of age is carried out only in the presence of parents or a legal guardian.

Can be anonymous

If the subject wishes, HIV testing can be conducted anonymously. In this case, you need to contact special anonymous examination rooms and notify the medical staff in advance. Instead of your last name, your blood test will be assigned a corresponding number, by which you can then find out the result. Even with a positive result, they do not have the right to demand your documents.

Results are confidential

The results of an HIV test, HIV status are strictly confidential information, it can be distributed only with the personal consent of the patient, even to his relatives. An exception to this rule is a law enforcement request regarding the diagnosis of a particular patient. The results are communicated to the patient personally.

Post-result consultation

The patient has the right, after receiving the results, to receive a full consultation with a specialist.