Body Part: Bloodstream

Infection: Septicaemia (Sep-tea-cee-mee-ah, “blood poisoning”). This is where bacteria infecting other organs of the body (such as those described here) enter your blood. This becomes life-threatening very quickly, because your blood carries the infection to all organs as it travels around the body. It can then lead to sepsis (a strong immune response to the infection), and failure of your organs.

Symptoms: Confusion/cloudy thinking, nausea/vomiting, red dots on skin, shock, difficulty peeing.

Bacteria: Most bacteria giving infection may lead to septicaemia if they manage to enter the bloodstream.