After Quinton Aaron’s Health Scare: What to Know About Blood Infections
Actor Quinton Aaron—best known for playing Michael Oher in “The Blind Side”—was hospitalized after collapsing in his home. He was placed on life support after being diagnosed with a severe blood infection following sudden symptoms.
Aaron’s health scare illustrates how a blood infection can develop quickly and become life-threatening, even in someone who may seem healthy.
What’s a blood infection?
A blood infection happens when germs like bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the bloodstream and trigger a full-body immune response. Instead of just fighting an infection, the body’s defenses go into overdrive and can begin damaging its own tissues and organs. Without quick medical care, this can lead to organ failure or death.
Signs of blood infections
Blood infections can look and feel different depending on age and severity. Below are the main symptoms to look out for in both adults and children:
- Rapid breathing or heart rate
- Fever or very low body temperature
- Extreme fatigue or weakness
- Clammy, sweaty, or discolored skin
- Confusion, irritability, or changes in mental state
- Pain or discomfort throughout the body
- Low blood pressure or feeling faint/lightheaded
Kids may also show signs of the following:
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Inactivity
- Difficulty waking up
Babies can experience:
- Lack of hunger
- No wet diapers
- A swollen soft spot on the head
Certain groups of people are more vulnerable to a blood infection, such as older adults, infants younger than 1 year, people with weakened immune systems, those with chronic health conditions, hospitalized patients, and people with recent surgery. If caught early, blood infections are treatable with different types of treatments.
If you or a loved one are experiencing any symptoms of a blood infection, talk to your doctor immediately or go to your nearest emergency room.
Image: Toglenn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
