Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCausesSymptomsTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Bacteria are an important part of our environment and our bodies. While most of them are harmless or even helpful, bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) can cause infection. There are several types of infections that can be caused. If you have sepsis symptoms like fever, rash, rapid heartbeat, or confusion you should seek medical care immediately, because a blood infection can be deadly.
Continue reading to learn more about bacterial infections in the blood, including how to recognize septicemia and sepsis symptoms, and how to get the help you need.
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Types of Bacterial Infections in the Blood
Bacteria are a natural, healthy part of our bodies, especially in certain areas like the skin or gut. These areas are known as microbiomes. Science still hasn’t determined whether healthy humans have a blood microbiome (naturally occurring bacteria in the blood).
However, when certain bacteria get into the bloodstream, they can cause abacterial infectionin the blood. While terms like “septicemia,” “sepsis,” “blood infection,” and “blood poisoning” are sometimes used interchangeably, there are important differences among them, such as:
Bacterial infections in the blood almost always develop after you’ve had another infection somewhere else in your body. Since your immune system is weakened from the original infection, it’s less effective at fighting off the blood infection.
A bacterial infection in your blood is known medically as bacteremia. This often leads to a more serious condition called sepsis, which is an inflammatory reaction throughout the body. Sepsis can be life-threatening, especially if you developseptic shock, which can cause an extreme drop in blood pressure and organ failure.If you have an infection that gets worse, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately to avoid life-threatening complications.
Infections that can lead to bacterial infections in the blood include:
If you develop a fever or begin feeling very ill after having an infection, call your healthcare provider immediately.
The symptoms of a bacterial infection in the blood are the same as those of blood poisoning. They include:
If you experience these symptoms, you should see a healthcare provider immediately. If your blood infection goes untreated, it can lead to more severe symptoms of sepsis, including:
Eventually, you could experience symptoms of septic shock, including severe pain, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.
A bacterial infection in the blood requires immediatetreatmentin a hospital. The first step is to administer powerful antibiotics via a tube inserted into the vein called an intravenous line (IV). These are medications that kill off bacteria. You’ll likely stay on them for at least a week.
Since the symptoms and effects of sepsis vary from person to person, other treatments will be tailored to you and your symptoms. Most people get IV fluids, which help prevent a drop in blood pressure. Because sepsis is so serious and can affect your vital functions and organs, you might need more intensive care, including a breathing tube or dialysis.
Summary
A bacterial infection in your blood is known medically as septicemia. This often leads to a more serious condition called sepsis, which is an inflammatory reaction throughout the body. Sepsis can be life-threatening, especially if you develop septic shock. If you have an infection that gets worse, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately to avoid life-threatening complications.
A Word From Verywell
Many people try to avoid their healthcare provider, especially if they’ve been seen recently for an infection. However, a bacterial infection in the blood can quickly become life-threatening. If you believe you have blood poisoning, call your healthcare provider or go to the hospital emergency room immediately.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA bacterial infection in the blood usually develops from a previous infection. The bacteria from that infection can pass into the bloodstream. Since your immune system is already weakened from the previous infection, your body is not able to fight off the bacterial infection in the blood.Yes, blood poisoning can be cured, but it requires intensive medical care. If you believe you have a bacterial blood infection, call your healthcare provider immediately.A bacterial blood infection is extremely serious. It can develop into sepsis, a life-threatening whole-body response to infection. Most people with sepsis are treated in the intensive care unit. If you suspect you or a loved one has a bacterial blood infection, seek care immediately.
A bacterial infection in the blood usually develops from a previous infection. The bacteria from that infection can pass into the bloodstream. Since your immune system is already weakened from the previous infection, your body is not able to fight off the bacterial infection in the blood.
Yes, blood poisoning can be cured, but it requires intensive medical care. If you believe you have a bacterial blood infection, call your healthcare provider immediately.
A bacterial blood infection is extremely serious. It can develop into sepsis, a life-threatening whole-body response to infection. Most people with sepsis are treated in the intensive care unit. If you suspect you or a loved one has a bacterial blood infection, seek care immediately.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of General Medical Sciences.Sepsis.National Institutes of Health. Sept. 10, 2021.Castillo DJ, Rifkin RF, Cowan DA, Potgieter M.The healthy human blood microbiome: fact or fiction?Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2019. Doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00148Sepsis Alliance.Blood poisoning.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is sepsis?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Septicemia.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of General Medical Sciences.Sepsis.National Institutes of Health. Sept. 10, 2021.Castillo DJ, Rifkin RF, Cowan DA, Potgieter M.The healthy human blood microbiome: fact or fiction?Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2019. Doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00148Sepsis Alliance.Blood poisoning.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is sepsis?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Septicemia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences.Sepsis.National Institutes of Health. Sept. 10, 2021.Castillo DJ, Rifkin RF, Cowan DA, Potgieter M.The healthy human blood microbiome: fact or fiction?Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2019. Doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00148Sepsis Alliance.Blood poisoning.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is sepsis?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Septicemia.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences.Sepsis.National Institutes of Health. Sept. 10, 2021.
Castillo DJ, Rifkin RF, Cowan DA, Potgieter M.The healthy human blood microbiome: fact or fiction?Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2019. Doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00148
Sepsis Alliance.Blood poisoning.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is sepsis?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Septicemia.
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