Bacteremia is bacteria that has spread to the blood. It can lead to infections when it is not treated. It can also lead to sepsis. This is a severe reaction of the body to the infection.
It is normal to have bacteria in some parts of the body. Small tears or harm can allow it to enter the blood. This can happen from:
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Things that can raise the risk of this problem are:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. An exam will be done.
Your blood will be tested to look for signs of bacteria.
Antibiotics will be used to keep the bacteria from leading to a serious infection or sepsis.
People at higher risk of infection may be given antibiotics before certain medical procedures. This will get rid of bacteria before it can cause problems.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics
https://www.healthychildren.org
Caring for Kids—Canadian Paediatric Society
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
Bacteremia. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at:
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Updated October 2018. Accessed July 20, 2020.
Bacteremia with gram-negative bacilli. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/bacteremia-with-gram-negative-bacilli. Updated June 12, 2020. Accessed July 20, 2020.
Occult bacteremia and fever without apparent source in infants and young children. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at:
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Updated March 2020. Accessed July 20, 2020.
Rongpharpi SR, Duggal S, Kalita H, Duggal AK. Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: targeting the source. Postgrad Med. 2014 Sep;126(5):167-175.
Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/staphylococcus-aureus-bacteremia. Updated February 24, 2020. Accessed July 20, 2020.
Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Chelsea Skucek, MSN, BS, RNC-NIC