Infections Chapter 176 Bacteremia and Septic Shock Bacteremia, the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, is common and usually causes no symptoms. Most bacteria that enter the bloodstream are rapidly removed by white blood cells. Sometimes, however, there are too many bacteria to be removed easily, and an infection called sepsis develops, causing severe symptoms. In some cases, sepsis leads to a life-threatening condition called septic shock. Bacteremia and Sepsis Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.
Sepsis is an infection in the bloodstream.
Very mild, temporary bacteremia may occur when a person clenches his jaw, because bacteria living on the gums around the teeth are forced into the bloodstream. Bacteria often enter the bloodstream from the intestine, but they are rapidly removed as the blood passes through the liver. Sepsis becomes more likely when there is an infection in the body, such as in the lungs, abdomen, urinary tract, or skin. Sepsis can also result when surgery is performed on an infected area or on a part of the body where bacteria normally grow, such as the intestine. The likelihood of sepsis increases the longer the object is left in place.