The Unusual Disease That Plagues Texas More Than Any Other State

While heart disease and cancer continue to be the top two causes of death of people in the United States, individual states differ in the next three. In Texas, stroke, chronic respiratory disease, and accidents round out the top five causes of death. However, in states like Washington and California, Alzheimer's disease makes it into the top five causes of death.

In Texas, the death rate per capita of septicemia is much higher than the national average, according to 2014 data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (via PBS). Septicemia is a poisoning of your blood due to an infection from bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Texas sees 16.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, whereas the U.S. average is 10.7 deaths per 100,000. Septicemia is the ninth leading cause of death in Texas.

Septicemia is often confused with life-threatening sepsis. Whereas sepsis is your body's extreme response to a severe infection, septicemia is the presence of the infection that can cause sepsis. Some groups are more vulnerable to septicemia than others.

Older adults and infants can be at a higher risk for septicemia compared to others. People who have recently been in the hospital or sustained serious injuries might also be at risk for this blood poisoning. If your immune system is compromised or you have a chronic disease such as diabetes, your body might be more prone to septicemia.

Certain types of infections can lead to septicemia. E. coli could enter your bloodstream if you have a urinary tract infection, and Streptococcus pneumoniae could enter through your lungs. You could also develop septicemia if you have a kidney, skin, or pelvic infection. Even a trip to the dentist for an abscessed tooth could expose your body to harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

If your body is minimally exposed to a pathogen, your immune system can handle this infection. However, your immune system can become overwhelmed if these pathogens spread to other parts of your body through your bloodstream. At first, you could experience chills, fever, a drop in blood pressure, or a rapid heart rate. If left untreated, septicemia could cause confusion, nausea, or poor blood flow. You could even go into septic shock or fall into a coma.

If you experience symptoms of septicemia, a blood test can determine if you have a pathogen that's infecting your system. You might also need a sample of your urine, skin, or phlegm for diagnostic testing. To check your organs, your medical professional might order additional tests such as an MRI or CT scan.

The type of treatment for septicemia depends on the type of infection. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, while antiviral and antifungal medications address viral and fungal infections, respectively. Some people might need an IV to control blood pressure, and some medications might be required to avoid blood clots.

If your infection is left untreated, your body can develop sepsis that requires an emergency trip to the hospital. People with weak immune systems or chronic diseases are more likely to develop sepsis as a result of untreated septicemia. Septic shock occurs when toxins reduce blood flow and damage your organs. (Read about the septic shock death timeline.) Untreated septicemia could also damage your lungs by restricting oxygen to your lungs and blood.