septicemia

noun

sep·​ti·​ce·​mia ˌsep-tə-ˈsē-mē-ə 

: potentially life-threatening invasion of the bloodstream by pathogenic agents and especially bacteria along with their toxins from a localized infection (as of the lungs or skin) that is accompanied by acute systemic illness

called also blood poisoning

compare bacteremia, sepsis, viremia

septicemic

ˌsep-tə-ˈsē-mik 

adjective

Examples of septicemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This may increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), respiratory infections, bacterial skin infections, peritonitis, and, in severe cases, septicemia and sepsis. —Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024

All of the mice with septicemia survived after receiving lolamicin, as did 70% of the mice with pneumonia. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024

Testing of collected fish revealed positive cases of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). —Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 11 May 2024

The infection can lead to both meningitis and a serious infection of the bloodstream called septicemia, or blood poisoning. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin septicus + New Latin -emia

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

septicemia

noun

sep·​ti·​ce·​mia

variants or chiefly British septicaemia

ˌsep-tə-ˈsē-mē-ə 

: potentially life-threatening invasion of the bloodstream by pathogenic agents (as bacteria, viruses, or fungi) from a localized infection (as of the lungs or skin) that is accompanied by acute systemic illness

called also blood poisoning

see pyemia compare bacteremia, sepsis, viremia

septicemic adjective

or chiefly British septicaemic

-ˈsē-mik