What is the Difference Between Sepsis and Septicemia?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Sepsis and septicemia are related but distinct medical terms that refer to serious infections and the body's response to those infections. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Septicemia: This occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause blood poisoning. It is a serious bloodstream infection that can quickly become life-threatening and must be treated in a hospital. If left untreated, septicemia can progress to sepsis.
- Sepsis: This is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body damages its own tissues and organs due to an immune response to an infection. Sepsis can lead to septic shock, organ failure, and even death if not diagnosed and treated early. It can be caused by various infections, including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
While the terms "sepsis" and "septicemia" are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. Sepsis is a complication of septicemia, and the two conditions have distinct characteristics and prognoses.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Sepsis and Septicemia? Comparative Table: Sepsis vs Septicemia
Comparative Table: Sepsis vs Septicemia
Here is a table comparing the differences between sepsis and septicemia:
Feature | Sepsis | Septicemia |
---|---|---|
Definition | Sepsis is a serious complication of septicemia, causing inflammation throughout the body and potentially leading to organ failure. | Septicemia is a serious bloodstream infection caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream from another part of the body. |
Occurrence | Sepsis occurs when the body has a strong immune response to an infection, leading to widespread inflammation. | Septicemia occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream from elsewhere in the body, such as the skin, lungs, kidneys, and bladder. |
Progression | Sepsis can progress to severe sepsis if it leads to organ failure, such as kidney or heart failure. | If left untreated, septicemia can progress to sepsis. |
Treatment | Sepsis requires immediate medical attention and treatment in a hospital setting. | Septicemia requires immediate medical attention and treatment in a hospital setting. |
Mortality | Sepsis can be fatal, especially if it progresses to septic shock, which is characterized by extremely low blood pressure. | Septicemia can be fatal if left untreated or if treatment is delayed for too long. |
While the terms sepsis and septicemia are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same. Sepsis is a serious complication of septicemia, and both conditions require immediate medical attention and treatment.
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- Puerperal Pyrexia vs Puerperal Sepsis
- Sepsis vs Cytokine Storm
- Medical vs Surgical Asepsis
- Osteomyelitis vs Septic Arthritis
- Septic Arthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Antisepsis Disinfection vs Sterilization
- Strep vs Staph Infection
- Typhus vs Typhoid
- Meningitis vs Meningocephalitis
- Staphylococcus vs Streptococcus
- E Coli vs Serratia Marcescens
- Pneumonia vs Pneumonitis
- Pseudomonas vs Staphylococcus
- Salmonella vs Shigella