How Do You Diagnose Bacteremia?
Bacteremia is a general term indicating the presence of any viable bacteria in the bloodstream and usually occurs through an injury or surgical procedure. Transient bacteremia frequently does not require treatment unless there is an underlying illness but may be more serious in children with other infections or problems with their cardiac blood flow. The following steps will show how to diagnose bacteremia. Check for possible causes. Bacteria can be introduced into the bloodstream in a variety of ways. Dental and surgical procedures are the most common causes but this can also occur from catheters, IV tubes or even over-enthusiastic brushing of the teeth. Medical treatment also may expose the patient to bacteria that their immune system is not able to handle. Observe symptoms of bacteremia where there is no clinical evidence of sepsis. This form of bacteremia is also known as occult bacteremia and frequently presents itself as a minor fever or infection. Look for signs of septic shock
