Blood infection: what it is, symptoms and treatment

Infection in the blood corresponds to the presence of microorganisms in the blood, mainly fungi and bacteria, leading to symptoms such as high fever, decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate and nausea, for example. When the infection is not diagnosed and treated properly, the microorganism can spread through the bloodstream and reach other organs, which can lead to complications and organ failure.

The severity of the infection depends on the infecting microorganism and the response of the infected person's body, as people with compromised or ineffective immune systems are more susceptible to this type of infection and treatment is usually more complicated.

The treatment for infection in the blood is done according to the microorganism identified through laboratory tests, and can be done with the use of antibiotics or antifungals according to the medical recommendation and the results of cultures and sensitivity profile of the microorganisms medicines.

Main symptoms

Blood infection can be noticed through some signs and symptoms, such as:

• High fever; Increased respiratory rate; Decreased blood pressure; Increased frequency of heartbeat; Loss of memory or mental confusion; Dizziness; Fatigue; Chills; Vomiting or nausea; Mental confusion.

As soon as signs or symptoms of infection in the blood are identified, it is important to go to the doctor so that the symptoms described by the patient can be evaluated and tests are requested to confirm the infection in the blood and thus, treatment can be started and complications avoided..

Is the blood infection serious?

Blood infection is severe according to the microorganism identified in the blood and the body's ability to respond to the infection. Thus, newborns, the elderly and people with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a blood infection that is more severe. See how the immune system works.

Some microorganisms have a high infectious capacity, being able to proliferate quickly and spread through the bloodstream, reaching other organs and characterizing septic shock or septicemia. If this infection is not identified quickly and properly treated, there may be organ failure and result in death. Learn all about septic shock.

Possible causes of blood infection

Infection in the blood can be a consequence of other infections, such as urinary tract infection, pneumonia or meningitis, for example, arising after surgery, due to the infection of surgical wounds, or placement of medical devices, such as catheters and tubes, for example, being considered a hospital infection, related to health care. Know what hospital infection is and how to prevent it.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of infection in the blood is made mainly through laboratory tests and cultures. The main test performed to identify microorganisms in the bloodstream is blood culture, which is usually done during hospitalization and consists of the collection of blood by a trained professional, with the possibility of identifying bacteria and / or fungi in the bloodstream.

The collected blood is placed in a container called "blood culture bottle" and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The bottle is placed in equipment that is capable of providing the appropriate environment for the growth of microorganisms. The bottles remain in the equipment for 7 days to 10 days, however, positive cultures are identified in the first 3 days. After the positivity of the sample is detected, the blood contained in the bottle is used so that a slide is made and can be seen under the microscope to identify the characteristics of the microorganism.

In addition to microscopic identification, a culture is made in a suitable culture medium so that the microorganism can be isolated and, subsequently, the species and antimicrobials to which this species is sensitive or resistant are identified, so that the best definition can be defined. treatment. Find out how the antibiogram is made.

The blood count can also be requested to confirm infection, in which the amount of leukocytes is checked, which in the case of infection is high, as well as the dosage of C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Other tests may also be requested to confirm the spread of the microorganism in the body, such as urine culture, culture of wound secretion, computed tomography and ultrasound. See what the blood count is for and how to interpret it.

In the case of suspected infection in the blood by viruses, serological and molecular tests are performed to identify the virus, its concentration in the blood and, thus, determine the treatment, since the viruses are not identified through blood culture.

How to treat

The treatment is done with the hospitalized person and is established according to the microorganism identified in the blood. In the case of infection by bacteria, the use of antibiotics is recommended, which is defined according to the sensitivity profile of the bacteria. In the case of fungal infection, the use of antifungals is indicated according to the result of the antifungigram.

It may also be recommended to use drugs to increase blood pressure, as well as low doses of corticosteroids and insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.