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, viremiaExamples of septicemia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
The rash may also be a sign of septicemia (sepsis).
—Sarah Lemire, Health, 19 Mar. 2024
Meningococcal disease can progress into meningitis, which impacts the brain and spinal cord, and septicemia, which damages blood vessels.
—The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024
But people can develop serious forms of illness, such as meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or septicemia (a bloodstream infection).
—Monique Calello, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023
The illness can often turn severe and lead to meningitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, or septicemia, a bloodstream infection.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2023
In more severe cases, people can develop septicemia.
—Rob Frehse, CNN, 16 Aug. 2023
Once their prey succumbs to the twin threats of venom and septicemia, a hunting Komodo can take its sweet time finding the dead or dying animal.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 5 July 2023
Although usually harmless, E. Coli can cause illnesses such as meningitis, septicemia, urinary tract, and intestinal infections, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
—Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2023
Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024
The rash may also be a sign of septicemia (sepsis).
—Sarah Lemire, Health, 19 Mar. 2024
Meningococcal disease can progress into meningitis, which impacts the brain and spinal cord, and septicemia, which damages blood vessels.
—The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024
But people can develop serious forms of illness, such as meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or septicemia (a bloodstream infection).
—Monique Calello, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023
The illness can often turn severe and lead to meningitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, or septicemia, a bloodstream infection.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2023
In more severe cases, people can develop septicemia.
—Rob Frehse, CNN, 16 Aug. 2023
Once their prey succumbs to the twin threats of venom and septicemia, a hunting Komodo can take its sweet time finding the dead or dying animal.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 5 July 2023
Although usually harmless, E. Coli can cause illnesses such as meningitis, septicemia, urinary tract, and intestinal infections, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
—Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2023
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Cite this Entry
“Septicemia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/septicemia. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
septicemia
noun
sep·ti·ce·mia
variants
or chiefly British septicaemia
: 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, viremiaLove words? Need even more definitions?
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