Septicemia

Septicemia is a serious response of the body to an infection that spreads through the blood and can affect several organs. It is considered a medical emergency because it can progress rapidly.

Common symptoms: high fever or very low temperature, a fast heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion, and a general sense of seriousness; in babies, marked lethargy and refusal to feed may be noticed.

When should you seek care? With an infection that worsens with fever, altered alertness, or intense discomfort, you should seek care immediately.

Which specialist treats it? The infectious disease specialist studies the source of the infection, while the pediatrician and the neonatologist care for children and newborns. Because of how quickly it progresses, when septicemia is suspected it is a priority to seek urgent care.