Septicaemia Misdiagnosis
What is septicaemia?
We just wanted to say thank you. We will never be able to repay you or express how grateful we are to you for all the support and help. There would have been no one in the world that we would have had in preference to you to act for us.
John, Newcastle Upon Tyne Septicaemia is a type of bacterial blood poisoning. Septicaemia is very similar to meningitis, and along with meningitis is very serious and is the commonest cause of death of children between the ages of 1 and 5, although it can affect all ages.
The bacteria that can cause septicaemia can live naturally in the throats or noses of about one in ten people, without causing them any illness. In a few people, however, the bacteria can overcome their immune defences and pass through the lining of the nose and throat into the bloodstream. In the bloodstream, the bacteria can cause septicaemia. There are circumstances where septicaemia can cause serious problems and the condition can develop very rapidly.
Symptoms of septicaemia
Symptoms include fever, vomiting, rash (anywhere on the body), cold hands and feet, rapid or unusual breathing, stomach/joint/muscle pain, appetite loss, pale complexion, becoming unresponsive and/or drowsy. Not everybody will exhibit any or all of these symptoms.
Treatment of septicaemia
Septicaemia can be treated with antibiotics and the bacteria is killed by most of the antibiotics used in this country to treat infections. Septicaemia needs treating very quickly as it can cause death and other serious conditions.
Septicaemia misdiagnosis
Unfortunately there are times when diagnosis of septicaemia can be delayed or when septicaemia can be misdiagnosed completely. We are involved in cases where GPs following an examination of patients have failed to refer them to hospital for immediate examination and also where patients attend hospitals with many of the symptoms indicative of septicaemia but appropriate action has not been taken by a treating doctor/consultant. In septicaemia cases even a small delay in diagnosis and treatment can have fatal consequences.
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