Final answer:
Septicemia is the correct term for an infection or the products of infection carried throughout the body by the blood, which occurs when bacteria multiply in the bloodstream, potentially causing serious infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question is C. Septicemia. An infection or the products of infection carried throughout the body by the blood is called septicemia. This condition occurs when bacteria are reproducing in the blood as they spread, leading to serious, sometimes fatal infections. Septicemia differs from simple bacteremia, where bacteria may be present but not necessarily multiplying. Pathogens like bacteria and viruses can enter the circulatory system through various means, including wounds, bites, or other breaks in skin and mucous membranes. This can lead to widespread dissemination of these pathogens, resulting in systemic infections. It's also important to differentiate septicemia from other terms such as viremia, which refers to the presence of viruses in the blood, and toxemia, where microbial toxins are spread through the circulatory system.