septicemic plague

noun

, Pathology.

1. an especially dangerous form of plague in which the infecting organisms invade the bloodstream. Compare plague ( def 2 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of septicemic plague¹

septicem(ia) + -ic

Example Sentences

“The patient had septicemic plague, which is in the blood and cannot be spread to other people. The resident recovered, and no other cases were identified,” officials said.

From Fox News

But the disease can lead to quick death if the bacteria infect the respiratory system or bloodstream in rarer conditions known as pneumonic and septicemic plague.

From Washington Post

There are three main types of plague in humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: bubonic plague, pneumonic plague and septicemic plague.

From New York Times

The bacterium that cause plague, Yersinia pestis, can cause several types of potentially fatal illnesses: bubonic plague, pneumonic plague and septicemic plague.

From Washington Times

But what made the germ -- which can trigger bubonic, pneumonic or septicemic plague -- so lethal?

From US News