Bloodstream Infections Flashcards
What is bacteraemia?
Presence of bacteria in the blood
How do microbes gain access?
Via portal of entry
What can bacteraemia lead to?
Systemic infection
Haematogenous disease
What haematogenous disease can bacteraemia lead to?
Endocarditis
Osteomyelitis
Organ infections
Meningitis
What is septicaemia?
Bacteraemia and symptoms of systemic infection
What are symptoms of systemic infection?
Pyrexia Chills Rigors Hypotension Shock Multiple organ failure
What is sepsis?
Life-threatening condition where body’s response to infection injures tissues and organs
What is sepsis assessed by?
Sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score
Measures function of major organs
What is septic shock?
Subset of sepsis where underlying circulatory and cellular/metabolic abnormalities are profound enough to substantially increase mortality
What is the treatment of sepsis?
Give oxygen (94%)
Take blood cultures
Administer empiric IV antibiotics
Measure serum lactate and send full blood count
Start IV fluid resuscitation
Commence accurate measurement of urine output
What are the effects of cytokine storm?
Inflammation
Shock
Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
Death
What is the mortality rate of sepsis?
35%
What is the primary cause of death from infection?
Sepsis
What percentage of worldwide communicable disease deaths is due to sepsis?
Approximately 50%
What are the negatives of antibiotic therapy?
Increases costs
Causes side effects
Complicates diagnosis