An infection in the blood due to the presence of bacteria is called bacteremia. Bacterial infections in the blood are classified as either community-acquired or nosocomial. Community-acquired infections are contracted by individuals who are...
Blood is a normally sterile fluid, and the presence of any type of microorganism is a cause of concern for the person infected. When discussing the presence of microorganisms in the blood, the suffix "-emia" is used--bacteremia, septicemia,...
A yeast infection, or candidiasis, may cause inflammation and discomfort to the skin or membranes due to a fungal infection. Redness and itching may occur in the mouth -- known as thrush -- gastrointestinal tract, urinary bladder or the genital...
According to the report, "Nosocomial Bloodstream Infection and Clinical Sepsis," published in June 2010 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are an estimated 248,000 blood stream infections in American hospitals each year. This...
Even if you do not have diabetes, you can experience drops and spikes in blood sugar levels for many reasons. If your blood sugar level gets too high or too low, you might develop many symptoms and/or health problems. Stress, poor diet, illness...
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,...
When a person has diabetes, infection is cause for concern. Even everyday infections such as the common cold can cause blood glucose levels to increase. Infection is a challenge that requires careful blood glucose monitoring and proper medical care.
Blood infections are commonly associated with the presence of large levels of bacteria in the blood as well as other microbes such as fungi and viruses. Bacterial or microbial infection of the blood is usually due unsanitary practices, or caused...
Since blood travels to all parts of the human body, an infection in the blood can lead to serious and even fatal conditions. Infections often occur because of an open wound and contact with the infectious agents. While there are no cures for some...
A tooth abscess is a pocket of infected material resulting from an infection in the center of the tooth. Tooth decay is often the main culprit of a tooth abscess. Tooth decay causes openings in tooth enamel, allowing harmful bacteria, dead tissue...
Infiltration of the blood by microorganisms is common and may occur as a mild, asymptomatic and transient phase in the natural course of some infections. However, an overwhelming and severe invasion of the blood by bacteria, viruses or fungi,...
A blood infection is a serious, life-threatening illness that demands emergency care. It is the result of your body fighting a severe infection. Your body is overwhelmed by the infection impacting normal blood flow and possibly harming organs. A...
Blood infections, also known as sepsis, are very serious medical conditions that require prompt treatment. While the main cause of blood infections is an infectious organism in the blood, these organisms can enter the bloodstream in many ways....
Severe blood infections affect an estimated 750,000 people every year, according to My ICU Care.org. The body's response to a blood infection is called sepsis. Most people recover from sepsis, but it does have the potential to become a...
The circulatory system is closed, protected from outside germs by layers of membranes designed to keep blood sterile, among other things. If you have a bacterial blood infection or bacteremia, you can be sure that something introduced bacteria...
The blood cell count is a laboratory test that checks the levels of three types of cells: the red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body's tissues; the platelets, which help clot off blood; and the white blood cells, which fight infections....
According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes are more susceptible to gum disease. Conversely, diabetics with gum disease have a more difficult time controlling blood sugar.
According to MedlinePlus, urinalysis is the medical examination of urine involving evaluation of the urine's color and appearance, observing the urine under a microscope and chemical analysis using a test strip called a dipstick. The presence of...
Excess weight is a problem for many Americans. Approximately 66 percent of adults in America struggle with obesity or being overweight. Carrying extra weight puts you at higher risk for serious health concerns, such as heart disease, diabetes and...
Pregnant women are often praised for their beauty, but after giving birth, people start noticing the leftover belly skin. Even if you had a flat stomach before pregnancy, getting back in shape will take some time and effort. Fortunately, doing...
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, approximately 581,000 knee replacements are performed each year in the United States. A knee replacement may be the recommended treatment if a patient has a severely damaged knee due to...
Most women experience an increase in their breast size during pregnancy and after the birth of a child. It is quite common to increase one to two bra cup sizes during the course of your pregnancy. Part of this enlargement can be linked to a gain...
If a patient has a chronic heart rate abnormality, called an arrhythmia or fibrillation, a doctor may recommend a procedure called catheter ablation to rectify this heart disturbance. Catheter ablation, also called cardiac ablation, involves the...
In vertebrate animals, blood is made up of red blood cells that carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body. The cells flow through the body in blood plasma, which is composed mostly of water, but also includes minerals and nutrients for the blood...
While food poisoning can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses in uncooked or improperly handled food, the majority of food poisoning from eating chicken is a result of Campylobacter contamination. By one estimate, about half of all raw...
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common type of bacteria that is found in the lower intestine of all healthy adults. Normally, the presence of the bacteria in the body does not cause any problems; however, there are cases of the bacteria invading...
Tonsils are lymphatic tissue situated at the back of your throat. Tonsillitis is an infection of your tonsils. Tonsillitis, if untreated, can lead to complications. The complications of a tonsil infection are an abscess, sleep disturbances...
Candida albicans is a yeast organism found commonly in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the genitourinary (GU) tract and on the skin. Most common symptoms are itching, redness and irritation. Symptoms of Candida albicans overgrowth can be...
Platelets and white blood cells are two of the main blood cell types in the body. Abnormal levels of these cells can be a sign of illness, disease or complications. Thrombocytopenia, or a low platelet count, can have serious consequences because...