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Septicemia / Sepsis - Diagnosis


Diagnosis

A blood culture helps to diagnose the infecting organism causing the sepsis.

The following tests are used to diagnose the cause of sepsis and the extent of the condition:

  • Blood counts: Blood counts may show an increase or decrease in the number of white blood cells and decrease in the number of platelets.
  • Liver function tests: Bilirubin levels and liver enzyme levels may be high.
  • Urine: Urine may show the presence of protein.
  • Blood Culture: Blood culture should be performed on at least 2 blood samples obtained from different sites.
  • Culture of infected tissues, sputum, urine: This may help to determine the site of initial infection
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  • Arterial gases: Arterial blood oxygen may be low. The patient may suffer from metabolic acidosis.

    Blood albumin may reduce and blood glucose level may rise especially in diabetics.

  • Chest x-ray: Chest x-ray may show signs of primary infection or the presence of ARDS.
  • Abdominal ultrasound / CT scan / MRI: An abdominal ultrasound / CT scan / MRI may show the presence of a site of infection in the abdomen.
  • ECG: ECG may show an increase in heart rate
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