Pathology · Haematological System · Easy
Septicaemia
Meaning: Serious bloodstream infection in which bacteria and their toxins multiply in the blood.
In practice: The patient with meningococcal septicaemia needed urgent intravenous antibiotics and admission to intensive care.
Word parts
- -aemia means a condition of the blood
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related pathology words.
Which word means: Rare malignant tumour arising from the lining of blood or lymphatic vessels.
Answer: Angiosarcoma
Which word means: Malignant tumour arising from fat cells, often deep in the thigh or abdomen.
Answer: Liposarcoma
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