Bacteremia is a medical condition caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the bloodstream. Normally, blood vessels contain blood cells and immune cells that function to destroy foreign substances that enter the body. In bacteremia, the bacterial infection has spread to the bloodstream and causes a number of symptoms.
Symptoms of Bacteremia
In some cases of bacteremia , the condition is asymptomatic. This is because the immune system is able to clear the bacteria without the body realizing it. However, when bacteremia causes an infection, symptoms may include:
- Sudden fever;
- Changes in consciousness, fainting, or confusion;
- Decrease in blood pressure to below 100 mm/Hg;
- The breathing rate increases and becomes labored.
Causes of Bacteremia
Infections that enter the bloodstream cause bacteremia. Some conditions that can cause bacteremia include:
- Pneumonia, which is inflammation of the lungs caused by a bacterial infection;
- Infections of the digestive organs (such as appendicitis, or other infections in the large intestine);
- Long-lasting urinary tract infection.
Besides medical conditions, bacteremia is also often caused by the use of non-sterile medical equipment or invasive medical procedures that do not pay attention to hygiene aspects.
Risk Factors for Bacteremia
Several factors increase the risk of bacteremia. These risk factors can include age, illness, and medical procedures. The following factors increase the risk of bacteremia:
- Very young or very old. At a very young age, the immune system doesn’t function optimally because it’s not fully developed. Meanwhile, in older adults, the immune system has already experienced aging and decreased function.
- Having a disease that weakens the immune system such as HIV or AIDS.
- Diabetes which triggers high blood sugar levels.
- Excessive length of hospital stay, so that the patient experiences nosocomial infections from the hospital, especially for those using ventilators in the ICU.
- Risky invasive medical procedures, such as inserting IVs, catheters, or suturing wounds without regard for hygiene.
Diagnosis of Bacteremia
Doctors usually perform a blood test to confirm bacteremia. In addition to blood tests, other supporting tests may be necessary. Some of the tests a doctor may perform include:
- Blood culture, to see whether there are bacteria and the types of bacteria in the blood.
- Blood clotting test, to determine whether there are blood clotting disorders.
- Liver and kidney function tests, to see liver and kidney failure that can contribute to bacteremia.
- Blood gas analysis, looks at the oxygen levels in the blood.
- Electrolyte balance.
- Urine and stool tests, if an infection of the urinary or digestive tract is suspected.
Complications of Bacteremia
Bacteremia is a medical condition that requires immediate treatment. Left untreated, the infection can lead to life-threatening complications such as sepsis and septic shock. Sepsis occurs when the immune response to an infection is too strong. This response can trigger changes in the body, such as inflammation. These changes can be dangerous and can lead to organ damage. Meanwhile, blood pressure drops drastically and can lead to organ failure when septic shock occurs.
Prevention of Bacteremia
In addition to preventing infections in the blood vessels, the following steps can be taken to prevent bacteremia:
- Maintain general cleanliness;
- Ensuring the hygiene of medical equipment used for medical procedures;
- For groups of people who frequently receive medical treatment, always maintain cleanliness around the area where the medical treatment is performed.
Bacteremia Treatment
Several treatments can be carried out to treat bacteremia, namely:
- Use of antibiotics, to eliminate bacteria circulating in the blood vessels;
- Oxygen therapy, for sufferers who experience shortness of breath;
- Parenteral fluids, such as intravenous fluids, to replace lost body fluids.
- Vasopressors, which are drugs used to constrict blood vessels, so that blood flow becomes faster and blood pressure increases.
When to See a Doctor?
Unsterile medical procedures, such as suturing wounds or tooth extractions, or other infections that spread to the bloodstream, are often the primary causes of bacteremia. If you experience fever and chills after a medical procedure, do not delay seeking medical attention.
