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A 24-year-old member asked:
Is septicemia the same thing as "blood poisoning"?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Wrightanswered
Pulmonary Critical Care 46 years experience
No: Septicemia refers to the presence of infectious organisms(bacteria, fungi or viruses) in the blood stream and the occurrence of symptoms such as fever and low blood pressure. Blood poisoning is not a medical term per se. Blood poisoning could refer to almost anything including actual ingested poisons. Doctors don't use the term blood poisoning.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jalal Zuberi commented
Pediatrics 47 years experience
Although blood poisoning is not a real medical term, in laymen's terminology, it is commonly used for sepsis.
Dec 7, 2014

Dr. Gutti Raoanswered
Hospital-based practice 48 years experience
We can say: Septicemia- in lay man terms can be called blood poisoning. Some bacteria produce what are called endotoxins which circulate in the blood stream, cause serious illness.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A Verified Doctoranswered
45 years experience
Yes: The common term "blood poisoning" is the same thing as septicemia which means bacteria in the blood stream.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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