Sepsis and Bacterial Infections

Bacteria are microscopic single-cell microorganisms (microbes) that are all around us. Most are harmless, and many are helpful. For example, bacteria in your intestines (gut) help break down the food you eat so your body can digest it. However, some types of bacteria can cause bacterial infections, which in turn can cause sepsis.

Sepsis, which was often called blood poisoning, is the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Suggested Citation:
Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Bacterial Infections. 2023. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/bacterial-infections/

Updated September 20, 2023.

 

More About Bacterial Infections

Examples

Bacteria must enter your body for them to cause an infection. So you can get a bacterial infection through an opening in your skin, such as a cut, a bug bite, or a surgical wound. Bacteria can also enter your body through your airway and cause infections like bacterial pneumonia. Other types of bacterial infections include urinary tract infections (including bladder and kidney infections) and dental abscesses, as well as infections caused by MRSA, Group B Streptococcus, and C. Difficile. Infections can also occur in open wounds, such as pressure ulcers (bed sores). Pressure ulcers are caused by constant pressure on the skin for extended periods or rubbing. For example, a senior who is bedridden could develop sores on the coccyx (tailbone) area, elbows, heels, or anywhere else where there is constant contact with a bed or adapted “easy chair.”

The name of one type of infection, septic arthritis, may be confusing to some people because it is not sepsis, despite its name. Septic arthritis is an infection in the joint fluid. However, this type of infection can also lead to sepsis. It can be caused by bacteria, as well as other microbes.

Sometimes bacterial infections are “secondary infections.” For example, if you contract COVID-19 – a virus – your body is in a weakened state and could also develop bacterial pneumonia. You would then be fighting both a viral infection and a bacterial one.

Symptoms

Bacterial infections present in many ways, depending on the part of the body affected. If you have bacterial pneumonia, you may experience

  • Fever
  • Cough, with phlegm
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Shaking chills
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Fatigue
  • Chest pain with breathing

If you have a urinary tract infection, you may have some of these symptoms:

  • Sudden and extreme urges to void (pass urine)
  • Frequent urges to void
  • Burning, irritation, or pain as you void
  • A feeling of not emptying your bladder completely
  • A feeling of pressure in your abdomen or lower back
  • Thick or cloudy urine – it may contain blood
  • Fever

The common element with most bacterial infections are:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Pain or discomfort in the affected area

But if the infection is in a joint, that joint and the surrounding area will likely hurt; if you have a sinus infection, you will probably have a headache and foul nasal discharge, and so on.

Prevention

Not all infections can be prevented, but the chances of spreading these infections can be greatly reduced by following these tips:

  • Wash your hands often, particularly if you are in a healthcare facility.
  • Keep wounds clean and covered.
  • Avoid sharing personal items, such as razors.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Malnutrition, not consuming enough nutrients for your needs, can lower your body’s ability to fight
Treatment

Most often, treatment for a bacterial infection is with antibiotics. They could be taken orally (by pill, liquid, or capsule), injection, drops, topical (cream or ointment), or intravenously (by IV). The treatment may be very short, or it could go as long as several weeks, depending on the type of infection and how it reacts to the antibiotics. Sometimes, the infection will not go away, and your doctor may have to try a different type of antibiotic.

Related Resources

Sepsis and Bacterial Infections – Chinese

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Sepsis and Bacterial Infections – Tagalog

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LA SEPSIS Y LAS INFECCIONES DENTALES

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LA SEPSIS Y LAS INFECCIONES BACTERIANAS

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Information Guide

Prevention

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Meningitis

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Dental Infections

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Cellulitis

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C. difficile

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Bacterial Infections

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Appendicitis

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Melanie A.

In November of 2020, my life was changed forever. Around August I started noticing that after a while my eye sight would get like I was looking under water, and my head felt like it was “pulsating.” I also had been dealing with a rash on my foot. My legs started to really hurt, and I was having a hard time walking. By November I could barely walk, and I felt sick a lot. Last thing I remember was leaving work at noon, after that I remember nothing. I had been found on the floor by my boyfriend. I had ... Read Full Story

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Erik Webb

It all started when I crushed my right foot and it became infected. (Sepsis and Bacterial Infections) After 3 tries with different antibiotics my wound specialist sent me home for the weekend saying if it did not improve he was going to amputate. Next, I woke up from 32 days of induced coma and mech. Ventilator. This story takes place in the spring of 2022, and I still am having issues. No wonder. I was diagnosed with septic shock, kidney injury and failure, liver and respiratory failure, and a. Fib., rhabdomyolysis, delerium, hypoxia, hypercapnia. It goes further but you get ... Read Full Story

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Elena Landero

My mommy was a beautiful woman inside and out. She was a lover and a fighter. She loved to draw. Her art was absolutely beautiful, me and my brother reminded her ALL the time! She was also the most bravest and kindness woman you’d ever meet. If you got to meet her you’d be so blessed in her presence, because she made sure everyone was good. She was a woman of love and family. Her heart was pure for her family and friends. I lost her to sepsis which turned into septic shock on March 2nd, 2022. (Sepsis and Septic ... Read Full Story

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Nathan Cole

Good Morning Everyone, The photo used was taken less than 30 days before I almost died due to septic shock. (Sepsis and Septic Shock) I was only a Lance Corporal who had also just been promoted this same month. I was stationed at Okinawa, Japan at this time and it was my first day at this barracks. I was bitten by an unknown insect while I slept. Two days later I could not move my left knee to save my life, so I hobbled to medical to see what was wrong. I thought I had just hurt my knee and ... Read Full Story

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Darren Greentree

I boarded a flight from Brisbane to Sydney. Within one hour I experienced severe pain, like a muscle spasm in my up left leg and lower back. 2 hours later, I arrived in Sydney, I could hardly walk, Called an ambulance that night at 3.30am, and they transported me to emergency. The pain was excruciating. That night I also experienced vomiting and diarrhoea. The emergency dept thought I had muscle spasm issues. They gave me pain killers and let me go. One day later back in Brisbane I went to my local doctor, once again misdiagnosed and sent me home. ... Read Full Story

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Bacterial Infections