<P> Bacteremia (also bacteraemia) is the presence of bacteria in the blood . Blood is normally a sterile environment, so the detection of bacteria in the blood (most commonly accomplished by blood cultures) is always abnormal . It is distinct from sepsis, which is the host response to the bacteria . </P> <P> Bacteria can enter the bloodstream as a severe complication of infections (like pneumonia or meningitis), during surgery (especially when involving mucous membranes such as the gastrointestinal tract), or due to catheters and other foreign bodies entering the arteries or veins (including during intravenous drug abuse). Transient bacteremia can result after dental procedures or brushing of teeth . </P> <P> Bacteremia can have several important health consequences . The immune response to the bacteria can cause sepsis and septic shock, which has a high mortality rate . Bacteria can also spread via the blood to other parts of the body (which is called hematogenous spread), causing infections away from the original site of infection, such as endocarditis or osteomyelitis . Treatment for bacteremia is with antibiotics, and prevention with antibiotic prophylaxis can be given in high risk situations . </P> <P> Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream that are alive and capable of reproducing . It is a type of bloodstream infection . Bacteremia is defined as either a primary or secondary process . In primary bacteremia, bacteria have been directly introduced into the bloodstream . Injection drug use may lead to primary bacteremia . In the hospital setting, use of blood vessel catheters contaminated with bacteria may also lead to primary bacteremia . Secondary bacteremia occurs when bacteria have entered the body at another site, such as the cuts in the skin, or the mucous membranes of the lungs (respiratory tract), mouth or intestines (gastrointestinal tract), bladder (urinary tract), or genitals . Bacteria that have infected the body at these sites may then spread into the lymphatic system and gain access to the bloodstream, where further spread can occur . </P>

How do you treat bacteria in the blood