What Are the Causes of Blood Infections?

How the body becomes septic.

• The circulatory system.
  
  Sepsis is the term used for an infection of the blood. Sepsis can occur when a bacteria, virus or fungus, has entered the body and has caused infection. This infection then makes its way into the bloodstream, allowing the contaminant to spread throughout the entire body.
  The body, in an effort to fight the infection, causes inflammation to occur, which then allows the formation of tiny blood clots in the blood vessels. The body has produced these clots as a way of stopping the infection from spreading, but at the same time, has limited the ability of the immune system to fight off the infection, or break down the blood clots.
  The blood clots in the vessels reduce the flow of blood to organs in the body. The heart beats faster and harder in an effort to pump the oxygenated blood to all the organs. The organs do not receive enough blood and oxygen, thereby causing possible damage to the organs and the skin tissue. This in turn causes the chemicals released by the immune system to go out of control. The body is unable to contain the infection, allowing the poisonous bacteria to spread, causing the person to become septic, which if untreated, can cause death.
  
  

The bacterium E Coli.

• E. coli bacteria.
  
  E. Coli is the most common bacteria known to cause blood infections. Although the E. Coli bacteria are found normally in the digestive tract, there are more serious strains that can be ingested by eating beef, fruits and vegetables that are contaminated. The E. Coli bacterium can make its way from the digestive tract and into the blood system, causing a serious blood infection.
  E. Coli can be found in the beef itself, but further contamination takes place when the manure from a cow, which is infected with E. Coli bacteria, is used for fertilizer on other products that are consumed.
  
  

Viral blood infections.

• Red blood cells.
  
  HIV and hepatitis C are both forms of viral blood infections. The infected blood coming into contact with a person's skin cannot transmit the HIV virus. In most cases, the infected blood would have to come into direct contact with an open sore, cut or scrape, but could occur in other forms of transmission, such as breastfeeding or biting. Hepatitis C, is transmitted when the infected blood from a person with the virus, comes into direct contact with another person's blood. This causes the infection to be transmitted. Transfusions with contaminated blood, and the sharing of contaminated needles are thought to be the most prevalent ways of contracting the hepatitis C virus.
  
  

• Fungal blood infections occur when the body is in a state of immune deficiency. This can be due to a disease, illness or surgery. The body has fungus on it normally, but if the conditions are just right, the fungus can erupt and multiply and spread throughout the entire body. This infection may be only on the skin, or inside the body or both.
  
  

• Due to the many ways a person can contract infection, it is important to maintain good hygiene. Always, thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables. Cook all meats so that no pinkish color is observed. Tend all wounds, even the smallest scrape, by washing the affected area and using topical antibiotic. By taking preventive measures, you are better able to prevent the possibility of contracting the germs that cause blood infections.