What is septicaemia?
Septicaemia is a type of bacterial blood poisoning. Septicaemia is very similar to meningitis, and along with meningitis is very serious and is the commonest cause of death of children between the ages of 1 and 5, although it can affect all ages.
The bacteria that can cause septicaemia can live naturally 
in the throats or noses of about one in ten people, without causing them any illness. In a few people, however, the bacteria can overcome their immune defences and pass through the lining of the nose and throat into the bloodstream. In the bloodstream, the bacteria can cause septicaemia. There are circumstances where septicaemia can cause serious problems and the condition can develop very rapidly.
Symptoms of septicaemia
Symptoms include fever, vomiting, rash (anywhere on the body), cold hands and feet, rapid or unusual breathing, stomach/joint/muscle pain, appetite loss, pale complexion, becoming unresponsive and/or drowsy. Not everybody will exhibit any or all of these symptoms.
Treatment of septicaemia
Septicaemia can be treated with antibiotics and the bacteria is killed by most of the antibiotics used in this country to treat infections. Septicaemia needs treating very quickly as it can cause death and other serious conditions.
Septicaemia misdiagnosis
Unfortunately there are times when diagnosis of 
septicaemia can be delayed or when septicaemia can be misdiagnosed completely. We are involved in cases where GPs following an examination of patients have failed to refer them to hospital for immediate examination and also where patients attend hospitals with many of the symptoms indicative of septicaemia but appropriate action has not been taken by a treating doctor/consultant. In septicaemia cases even a small delay in diagnosis and treatment can have fatal consequences.
If you believe that you might have a legal claim relating to Septicaemia misdiagnosis , please complete the online enquiry form or call 0870 024 0558. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a solicitor who specialises in Septicaemia misdiagnosis .
If you have any comments in relation to Septicaemia misdiagnosis , please use the online discussion forum.
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Septicaemia misdiagnosis Team Members
- Lesley Herbertson
- Associate
I am writing to you on behalf of both my mum and the rest of the family to thank you most sincerely the way in which you have conducted my father's claim. You may recall both my parents were a little reluctant to lodge the initial claim, thinking the likelihood of success would be minimal and in any event quite simply would not be worth the effort involved. You visited my father as he was not well enough to travel and took the detailed statement from him both sensitively and unhurriedly.
I know if my Dad were here today he would want to thnk you for getting the facts he needed as quickly as he could to ease the discomfort without putting him under pressure. You also advised us of the possibility of claiming the Governement compensation before we lodged our claim with you. My dad received this prior to his death which helped them to buy everything he needed to make his life more comfortable in his declining health. This included a wheelchair which meant he was able to get out of the house right up to the end which made his illness more tolerable for him. We must also thnk you for being sensitive to my mum's requests and spending the time to explain what her options were. The compensation whilst in no way compensates for our loss; it does feel to us that others have in some way valued our Dad as well as us. Although he was 80 years old he still had a lot of life in him and there is no doubt that the mesothelioma robbed us of more time with him. However, as a family we are all very grateful that we had as much time with him as we did as we are very aware that this is not the case for a number of your clients.
On behalf of my mum, myself and all the family many thanks for all your help, advice, sensitivity and hard work on our behalf. We know our dad would have been thrilled with the outcome.
