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What Is Bacteria in the Blood?
Bacteria in the blood is also known as bacteremia, or blood poisoning 1. According to the Mayo Clinic, the term "blood poisoning" is misleading because it is the presence of bacteria in the blood causing problems, not poison 12. Wrong Diagnosis.com, a website maintained by Health Grades Inc., says bacteremia is a condition in which bacteria have invaded the bloodstream 3.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Symptoms
According to Wrong Diagnosis.com, symptoms of bacteria in the blood include:
- an increased heart rate
- an increase or decrease in body temperature
- increased rate of breathing
- decreased oxygen in the blood
- sweating accompanied by chills 3
The Mayo Clinic says symptoms of bacteremia also include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and feeling extremely ill 2.
Causes
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According to Wrong Diagnosis.com, bacteria in the blood can be caused by a complication from another condition, or it can be a symptom of another underlying problem 3. The Mayo Clinic says bacteria enter the blood through a wound or infection 12. Often this occurs during a medical or dental procedure.
Diagnosis
The Mayo Clinic says bacteria in the blood is usually diagnosed by performing a blood culture 12.
Treatments
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According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment includes hospitalization with the administration of intravenous antibiotics 2. Bacteria in the blood is a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention.
Complications
The Mayo Clinic says bacteria in the blood can rapidly become a life-threatening condition 12. According to Wrong Diagnosis.com, once bacteria have entered the bloodstream, the infection can easily spread to other areas of the body, which can lead to abscesses, meningitis and inflammation of organs such as:
- the heart
- abdominal cavity 3
Bacteria in the blood also can lead to sepsis, shock, unusual blood clotting, organ failure and ultimately death.
Bacteremia vs. Septicemia
Bacteremia and septicemia are often confused with each other. According to the Mayo Clinic, septicemia, or sepsis, is a life-threatening result of bacteremia that will affect organ function and eventually lead to a fatal drop in blood pressure 12. Thus, in general, sepsis is the body's reaction to bacteria in the blood.
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- blood image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com