What are the differences between BACTEREMIA and SEPSIS or SEPTICEMIA?

Question

I was under the impression that sepsis meant the proliferation of bacteria in the blood stream however now I'm confused and am wondering if septicemia is just a larger umbrella term for pathogens in the blood whereas bacteremia is specific to bacteria in the blood.

Can anyone clarify this? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Sepsis-- having pus in some part of body.
Bacteremia-- Presence of large numbers of bacteria in the circulating blood in the body.
Septicemia-- Bacteria are not present in blood ,they are in some other part of body.They produce large amount of harm full chemicals, which is absorbed in the blood, circulate in blood & produce harmfull effects upon the body.
Sepsis can be very well controlled with the use of effective antibiotics,but baceraemia & septicaemia are very serios consequences of infection & some times prove to be fatal if not takrn care properly and efficiently at the earliest.
I think this will solve your curiocity. A nice question ,Thanks, Yahoo needs such type of question.

Answer 2

bacteremia and septicemia are the same thing - bacteria in the blood.

Sepsis is the symptoms of acute (usually bacterial) infection (which may be caused by bacteria in the blood) including low blood pressure, fever, rapid heartbeat, confusion, rapid breathing, increased white blood cells, increased inflammatory markers in the blood, etc.

Hope this helps.