septicemia /sep′tisē″mē·ə/ [Gk, septikos + haima, blood] , systemic infection in which pathogens are present in the circulating blood, having spread from an infection in any part of the body. It is diagnosed by culture of the blood and is vigorously treated with antibiotics. Characteristically, septicemia causes fever, chill, hypotension, prostration, pain, headache, nausea, or diarrhea. Also called blood poisoning. Also spelled septicaemia. Compare bacteremia. See also septic shock. −septicemic, adj.
