Bacterial Blood Infection

Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled living organisms, which are found in all possible locations of this planet. Bacteria are of different kinds and they dwell in soil, water and deep within the earth's crust. Some bacteria have also been reported to survive and multiply in radioactive waste. Bacteria also affect humans on a large-scale, they survive on their skin and inside their body. Bacteria are of two types - good and bad. The good ones are harmless and they help the body fight against diseases and the bad ones cause infection.

Bacterial blood infection in general is called bacteremia and is further classified by its effect on various body parts. It is a leading cause of death, but no one still knows for sure how and why does it happen. This infection turns deadly for people suffering from other ailments such as cancer and people having weak immune systems.

Types of Bacterial Blood Infection

Sepsis: It is one of the most common bacterial infection disease that affects humans. Sepsis is born as a result of body's natural mechanism. When there is harmful bacteria in the bloodstream, the temperature of the body increases and you also experience a burning sensation. Sepsis mainly occurs when the inflammation spreads to the various parts of the body from its origin. This burning feeling can cause tissue damage all over the body causing blood clots and a significant drop in blood pressure of the body. The final stage of this infection is called a septic shock and it can cause death.

Staph: Staph occurs due to the entry of Staphylococcus bacteria in the human body. In majority of the cases, these bacteria cause minor fever but if it gets involved in human bloodstream, it becomes life-threatening. If not treated immediately staph infection can cause irreparable damage to internal organs. Toxic shock is also a type of staph infection.

Endocarditis: Endocarditis takes place when bacteria travels through the bloodstream to the heart and if medical care is not immediately given, it may cause death. It also causes elevated heartbeat and in worst cases heart failure. Blood carries the endocarditis bacteria to various parts of the body and disrupts their functioning.

Strep B: Streptococcus is classified in two groups simply Group A and Group B. The difference between these two groups is that the streptococcus bacteria in Group B has a special carbohydrate that Group A lacks. Strep B is a common infection in newborns. Strep B can be prevented by antibiotics, though pregnant women, children and elderly can contract Strep B, if they have other illnesses.

E.Coli: E.Coli is a type of bacterial infection that occurs in intestines. If it spreads into the bloodstream, it can cause various health complications.

Causes of Bacterial Infection

There are various bacterial infection causes, though in most cases harmful bacteria is considered as the prime cause. Bacterial infections happen to people who suffer from low immunity. In some cases, fungi and viruses are considered as primitive causes. Different microbes can also cause blood infections. Infections in lungs due to pneumonia, bladder and kidney ailments can also cause various types of bacterial infections. In some cases, blood infections can also be caused due to surgical procedures.

Bacterial Infection Symptoms

If a patient is suffering from a bacterial infection, he/she will have regular fever. Body temperature may be at extreme high or extreme low. The patient may also have severe chills and shaking. You will have an elevated heartbeat and rapid breathing. Blackouts, blurred vision, confusion, rage and decrease in urination are some of the common symptoms. People who suffer from sepsis develop redness on various parts of the body. They also suffer from rash which can be in the form of bright red spots.

Bacterial Blood Infection in Children

In recent times, cases of such infections in children have seen a rise. Children have a developing immune system. As their immune system is not fully grown, children fall prey to the various infections all around them. Some kids are not lucky and are born with some disorder or dangerous disease, such conditions increase the chances of blood infection more. The most common type of blood infection is sepsis, which happens to young kids. The common symptoms are regular fever and infants having high body temperature. Children have to be treated with antibiotics and have to kept under observation in the hospital. Sepsis is one of the most common blood infection type found in kids. It becomes difficult to detect, as symptoms are not recognizable, until its final stage.

So this was all the information you needed on bacterial blood infection. It is very important that proper medical care and guidance is sought in blood infection cases, so as to avoid any further complications.