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Infection of the blood is associated with sepsis for many people, but there is also a bacterial infection of the blood that has nothing to do with sepsis. For this reason, we decided to find out what causes bacteremia and how it can be cured. Bacterial blood poisoning is not as serious as sepsis.
Blood infection – causes
The body can fight bacterial blood infection on its own, so the patient may not have any symptoms, but at the same time there can be many reasons for the appearance of bacteria in the blood. Bacteremia usually follows one of the seasonal diseases or inflammation of the bladder. An untreated tooth is also one of the causes of blood poisoning. People with HIV, diabetes, and people with renal or hepatic insufficiency are also at risk of bacteremia – as are people who frequently use the services of unproven tattoo and piercing parlors.
Blood infection – symptoms
Bacteremia may be asymptomatic. This usually happens with the first type of bacterial bloodstream infection, namely transient. On the other hand periodic bacteraemia characterized by a sudden fever combined with chills. Featured third continuous bacteremia determining the persistence of bacteria in the blood can be very serious if many more microorganisms enter the body. Then there is a fever (no higher than 38 degrees) and an increased heart rate. Clear symptoms as well as bacteremia are treated as sepsis.
Blood infection – diagnosis
The most effective test that is performed to detect bacteremia is blood culture, i.e. a multi-stage microbiological test. On its basis, you can check what bacteria are in the blood. Thanks to this, it will be possible to choose the antibiotics that best fight microorganisms. Additionally, a urine culture can be performed, as well as a morphology with a smear – on the basis of this test, the number of leukocytes in the blood is checked.
Blood infection – treatment
Treatment of bacterial blood poisoning consists in taking antibiotics selected according to the type of bacteria in the plasma. Medicines are administered to the patient intravenously. During pharmacological treatment, further blood cultures are ordered to check whether the number of bacteria is decreasing. In the case of bacteremia, it is worth changing eating habits. It is important to take foods rich in vitamins and minerals that will increase the body’s resistance. In addition, alcohol, cigarettes and junk food should be avoided.
Blood infection – bacteraemia and sepsis
Although both bacteremia and sepsis refer to the spread of bacteria in the blood, they are not synonymous terms. Sepsis can be caused not only by bacteria, but also by fungi and viruses. Simply put – bacterial blood poisoning can cause sepsis, but not always sepsis. In some cases, the body can cope with the symptoms on its own. If you have sepsis, which is a systemic infection of the body, you should go to the ward as soon as possible and take medication.
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