Bacteremia is a condition when bacteria are present in the bloodstream. The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream is not necessarily dangerous. but if not handled with appropriate and bacteria keep growing breedThis condition has the potential to cause serious complications.
Under normal circumstances, if the number of bacteria that enter the bloodstream is only small, then the immune system can quickly kill the bacteria. However, if the number of bacteria is large enough and the immune system is unable to fight it, this condition can lead to serious infections to sepsis.
Causes of Bacteremia
Bacteria can enter the bloodstream when a person undergoes certain medical procedures or procedures, such as during dental treatment, insertion of a catheter tube, or during surgery.
In addition, bacteremia can also occur due to the spread of infection from certain body parts, such as urinary tract infections, dental infections, or infections of the lungs, such as pneumonia.
There are several factors and conditions that can increase the risk of bacteremia, namely:
- Under one year old (infant) or over 60 years old (elderly)
- Suffering from burns
- Have a weakened immune system due to certain diseases, such as cancer or HIV/AIDS
- Are taking medication that affects the immune system, such as chemotherapy
- Have a chronic disease, such as diabetes or heart failure
- Using injectable drugs
Symptoms of Bacteremia
Bacteremia can cause symptoms that range from mild, such as a fever that goes away on its own, to sepsis. If the number of bacteria is not too much and the immune system is able to handle it, bacteremia may not even cause any symptoms.
However, when bacteria in the bloodstream continue to multiply, an infection can occur which is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Shivering
- Heart beat
- Blood pressure becomes low
- Breath becomes faster
- The body becomes weak
- Dizzy
- Mental changes, such as confusion
- Rash all over the body
If the infection occurs in the digestive tract, complaints such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or abdominal pain may appear. In children, in addition to the above symptoms, infections caused by bacteremia can also cause children to become more fussy, weak, inactive, and difficult to eat.
When to go to the doctor
Check with a doctor if you or your child experience the symptoms or complaints that have been mentioned above.
Immediately see a doctor if the symptoms you experience are getting worse or if you have complaints after certain medical procedures, including dental treatment or urinary catheter placement.
Bacteremia Diagnosis
To diagnose bacteremia, the doctor will first ask questions about the patient's complaints, medical history, and medical history. Next, the doctor will perform a thorough examination, including checking body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
Doctors can only diagnose bacteremia if bacteria are found in the patient's bloodstream. Therefore, the doctor will carry out a supporting examination to confirm the presence or absence of bacteria in the blood, namely a blood culture examination.
Doctors can also perform other investigations, such as sputum culture and urine culture, to identify the source of infection. In addition to culture, X-ray examination can be done to identify the presence or absence of signs of infection or inflammation in certain organs, such as the lungs and bones.
Bacteremia Treatment
Treatment of bacteremia will be tailored to the type of bacteria causing it and the severity of the disease.
Antibiotic drugs will usually be given in conditions of bacteremia that has caused the infection. The type of antibiotic is adjusted to the type of bacteria found through a blood culture. Antibiotics can be given in the form of a drink or injection.
In addition to treatment with antibiotics, if the bacteremia is provoked by the insertion of a urinary catheter, the catheter must be removed and replaced. If the bacteremia is caused by an abscess in certain body tissues, then a surgical procedure can be an option to remove the pus from the abscess.
Complications and Dangers of Bacteremia
Bacteremia can lead to fatal complications if not treated properly. These complications are sepsis and septic shock. Sepsis and septic shock will trigger inflammation throughout the body that has the potential to cause organ damage, even life threatening.
Prevention of Bacteremia
Bacteremia is not always preventable. However, there are several efforts that can be done to reduce the risk of bacteremia, namely:
- Using antibiotics before surgery or before dental procedures if there are indications
- Changing urinary catheters regularly
- Immunize according to schedule
