Bacteremia, Suspected (Adult)

Bacteremia is a bacterial infection that has spread to the bloodstream. It's serious because it can cause a lot of harm to the body. It can spread to other organs, including the bones, joints, kidneys, brain, and lungs. Bacteremia that spreads and causes significant inflammation in the body is called sepsis.

You will have lab tests and imaging tests. The lab tests will include blood cultures to check for bacteremia. Blood cultures will find out the type of bacteria that you have. You will likely be started on antibiotics even before the results of the blood cultures are known.

Bacteremia often starts with an infection in one area, but it then spreads to the blood. Almost any type of infection can cause bacteremia, including:

• Urinary tract infection.
• Skin infection.
• Gastrointestinal problem.
• Infection after surgery.
• Lung infection (pneumonia).
• Infection of a medical device placed in a vein or the bladder.

At first, symptoms may seem like any local infection or illness. But then they get worse. Symptoms can include:

• Fever and chills.
• Loss of appetite.
• Upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting.
• Trouble breathing or fast breathing.
• Fast heart rate.
• Feeling lightheaded or faint.
• Skin rashes or blotches.
• Confusion, severe sleepiness, or loss of consciousness.

People with bacteremia are most often treated in the hospital. After the worst part of the illness is better, you may be sent home to complete your treatment.

When caring for yourself at home:

• Rest at home for the first 2 to 3 days. When resuming activity, don't let yourself get too tired.
• You can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, unless you were given a different pain medicine to use. Talk with your doctor before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease. Talk with your doctor if you have had a stomach ulcer or digestive bleeding. Also talk with your doctor if you're taking medicine to prevent blood clots, such as blood thinners.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Your appetite may be poor, so a light diet is fine. Drink plenty of fluids (6 to 8 glasses of fluid per day). This includes water, soft drinks, sports drinks, juices, tea, or soup.

Follow up with your doctor, or as advised.

Once the results of the blood culture are known, your doctor may change your antibiotic. You can call for the results.

If you had X-rays, a CT scan, or an ultrasound, a doctor will look at them. You will be told of any results that may affect your care.

Call 911 if:

• You're wheezing or having trouble breathing.
• You have trouble swallowing.
• You have chest pain.
• You feel confused or have a sudden change in behavior.
• You're extremely drowsy or have trouble waking up.
• You faint or lose consciousness.
• You have a fast heart rate.
• You have low blood pressure.
• You vomit blood, or have large amounts of blood in your stool.
• You have a seizure.

Contact your doctor if:

• You cough with lots of colored mucus, or there's blood in your mucus.
• You have a severe headache.
• You have severe face, neck, throat, or ear pain.
• You have belly pain.
• You have weakness, dizziness, repeated vomiting, or diarrhea.
• You have joint pain or a new rash.
• You have a burning feeling when urinating.
• You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your doctor.