Since blood travels to all parts of the human body, an infection in the blood can lead to serious and even fatal conditions. Infections often occur because of an open wound and contact with the infectious agents. While there are no cures for some blood infections, most can be treated either directly or indirectly with medications and other remedies.
Bacteremia
Bacteremia, commonly called blood poisoning, is a bacteriological infection of the blood. The infection may occur when bacteria attacks the body through a wound. It also may occur when a medical procedure is taking place, during dental work or even during an injection. Symptoms include feeling or looking seriously ill, increased heartbeat, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, chills and a sudden fever. This infection is serious and hospitalization is required to flood the body with antibiotics. Untreated, bacteremia may lead to sepsis.
Sepsis
Sepsis triggers the body's immune system into actually hurting your own body. It can cause a blood pressure drop that can be fatal, called septic shock. Symptoms may include an infection, high respiratory rate, rapid heart beat or a temperature of less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit or more than 101.3. In the section stage, known as severe sepsis, there may be unusual heart functions, breathing difficulties, very little urination or a lowered platelet count. Any of these may indicate a malfunction of the human organs. The third stage is called septic shock, which includes a drastic drop in blood pressure.
Treatment includes immediate antibiotic infusions, vasopressors that help raise blood pressure and other drugs that can help rectify the problems in the immune system.
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is transmitted to the blood through the bite of one type of mosquito usually found in Africa. A type of hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever can cause bleeding, headaches, vomiting, kidney problems, heart problems and liver problems. Other symptoms include dizziness and redness in the tongue, eyes or face. The latter toxic phase of the disease, which is life-threatening, can produce such symptoms as yellow skin or eyes, vomiting blood, bleeding from the eyes, nose or mouth, delirium, convulsions and coma. The only treatment is to maintain the body functions with blood transfusions, kidney dialysis and infusing oxygen and fluids.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HIV, the infection that causes AIDS, attacks the human immune system through the blood. It also may be spread through contact with blood from an infected person. Symptoms may include swollen glands, a sore throat, headaches, diarrhea, sores in the mouth, muscle pains and fatigue. Ailments from HIV usually are those infections that cannot be fought by a decreased immune system. Treatment includes a "drug cocktail" that includes an antiviral combination.
