When bacteria infect the blood, its is called bacteremia. In most healthy individuals, the immune system responds quickly to the presence of a bacterial infection in the blood and destroy the invaders before complications develop. In some cases, however, the bacteria overwhelm the blood and a dangerous condition called sepsis develops.
Causes
Bacteremia can be caused by everyday activities such as tooth brushing and medical procedures, or it can develop from infections already present in the body, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Blood infections commonly stem from infections in the kidneys, lungs, skin or bowels. Hospitalized patients may develop bacteremia and sepsis when bacteria enter the bloodstream through an IV line, catheter, surgical wounds or bedsores. In some people, such as infants and individuals with chronic medical conditions, bacteremia is more likely to develop into sepsis than in healthy adults.
Symptoms
A basic case of bacteremia may have few or no symptoms. Some people develop a fever as the body tries to clear the infection. If the blood infection progresses to sepsis, symptoms that may arise include rapid breathing, altered heartbeat, lethargy, crankiness in small children or infants, chills, confusion, skin rash or a decrease in the amount of urine excreted.
Complications
Individuals with sepsis may also develop infections in organs throughout the body as the blood spreads the bacterial infection. An infection of the membranes surrounding the brain, called meningitis, is particularly dangerous. An individual who develops sepsis may go into septic shock and could even die.
Treatment
If the immune system successfully clears the blood of bacteria, no treatment is necessary. If the infection has progressed to sepsis, the patient will need intensive care at a hospital. Antibiotics are used to try to destroy the bacteria in the blood and are generally tailored to the specific bacterial species involved. According to Medline Plus, individuals with existing medical conditions before developing sepsis have about a 60 percent death rate from this severe bacterial blood infection, so prompt treatment is necessary.
Prevention
While not all cases of a bacterial blood infection can be prevented, some measures help protect against bacteremia and sepsis. Hand washing is an effective way to destroy bacteria on the hands which can be transmitted to wounds and cause infection. Prompt care of any bacterial infections elsewhere in the body can also keep the blood from becoming infected. People who are at risk for developing sepsis may receive antibiotics before undergoing medical procedures as a preventative measure. Immunization can protect against specific common bacterial infections that could lead to bacteremia or sepsis.
