bloodstream infection
Pathogens circulating throughout body
A bloodstream infection is the presence of harmful microorganisms—typically bacteria or fungi—circulating in the blood.
Also called septicemia or blood poisoning, it can rapidly become life-threatening as pathogens spread throughout the body.
Bloodstream infections often originate from another site: The urinary tract infection progressed to a bloodstream infection.
In hospitals, catheters and IV lines are common entry points.
- sepsisDangerous inflammatory infection response
- feverElevated body temperature
- organ failureVital tissue stops functioning
- chillsShivering spells from illness
- vital signsMeasurable life indicators
septic shock · bacteremia · antibiotics · endocarditis · septicemia · meningitis · surgical drainage · vasopressors · intensive care · pneumonia · osteomyelitis · inflammation · lactate · echocardiography · fatigue · hypotension · intravenous fluids · tachycardia
- bacterial infectionsanthrax, botulism, cholera, diphtheria, lockjaw
- Hospital Infectionsnosocomial infection, MRSA, wound infection, superbug, superinfection
- Blood Infectionsbacteremia, sepsis, septicemia, viremia, septic shock
bloodstream infectionlocalized infection
Contained pathogenic invasion
wound infection · skin infection · urinary tract infection · respiratory infection · abscess
blood, stream, bloods, bloody, bloodied, bloodier, bloodiest, bloodily, bloodiness