Bacteremia

Bacteremia is often a mild condition that can be treated, but in some cases it can turn into a serious condition that causes severe complications.

Bacteremia

Bacteremia occurs when there are bacteria in the blood, which can enter the body through different ways.

Causes of bacteremia

A lot of different types of bacteria can cause bloodstream infections, such as:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli).
• Staphylococcus aureus (staph).
• Streptococcal species.
• Bacillus cereus (B. cereus).
• Pneumococcal bacteria.
• Salmonella.
• The bacteria can enter the body through wounds, scrapes, burns, reusing or sharing needles, medical procedures and surgeries, dental procedures, and brushing or flossing the teeth very intensely.

Symptoms of bacteremia

• Usually, the immune system removes the bacteria from the blood without any symptoms or with a mild fever only, but when bacteremia progresses and causes sepsis or septic shock, it causes a rapid heartbeat, fever, chills, fast breathing, hypotension, belly pain, diarrhea, and nausea and vomiting.
• Bacteremia can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis, osteomyelitis, and cellulitis.

Diagnosis of bacteremia

• Physical exam.
• Blood tests.
• Urine tests.
• Sputum test.
• Bacteria culture.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of bacteremia

• Antibiotics.
• Bacteremia can be prevented by washing the hands regularly and cleaning the skin wounds and burns properly.