It’s difficult to self-diagnose blood poisoning because its symptoms mimic those of other conditions. The best way to determine if you have septicemia is to see a doctor. First, your doctor will perform a physical exam, which will include checking your temperature and blood pressure. If blood poisoning is suspected, your doctor will run tests to look for signs of bacterial infection. Septicemia can be inferred with these tests: blood culture testing; blood oxygen levels; blood count; clotting factor; urine tests including urine culture; chest X-ray and electrolyte and kidney function tests. Also, your doctor might see problems with liver or kidney function, as well as imbalances in electrolyte levels. If you have a skin wound, your doctor may take a sample of any fluids leaking from it to check for bacteria. As a precaution, your doctor may also order an imaging scan. These tests can all help detect infection in your body’s organs: X-ray; CT scan; MRI scan and ultrasound. If bacteria are present, identifying what type they are will help your doctor determine which antibiotic to prescribe to clear the infection.
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