Septicemia Septicemia is the clinical name for blood poisoning. Septicemia is a medical emergency and needs urgent treatment. Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also cause septicemia, (meningoccocal form) Signs and Symptoms Patients with septicemia develop a rash, tiny blood spots that look like pin pricks in the skin. Left untreated, the rash will gradually get bigger and begin to look like fresh bruises. These bruises then join together to form larger areas of "purple skin discoloration". Septicemia can develops very quickly. The patient will: * Become very ill (Rapidly) * Lose interest in food and surroundings * Becoming feverish and cold * Have cool hands and feet * Coma and sometimes death Those who become ill more slowly may also develop some of the signs of meningitis. Treatment: Call your Doctor out now or get the patient to Hospital. Now! ------------------ These files may be accessed through the web at http://firstaid.ie.eu.org/ I would like to thank the IEASR for allowing me to convert their pages over to the Pilot. Mary Jo Sminkey maryjo@dogpatch.org http://www.dogpatch.org ------------------ DISCLAIMER: Information in these files is presented in order to impart general information relating to first aid of various injuries and conditions. Such information is not complete and should not be used as a substitute for a consultation or visit with your physician or other health care provider, or as a substiture for actual training in first aid and/or CPR. While all reasonable care has been taken in compiling this information, Mary Jo Sminkey and Irish Emergency Ambulance Services Resource (IEASR) make no warranty as to the information's completeness, reliability or accuracy. Access to and use of the information contained herein is entirely at the risk of the user, Mary Jo Sminkey and IEASR shall not be liable, directly or indirectly to the user or any third party for any damage resulting from the use of the information contained or implied in the Pilot First Aid files.