Bacteria Blood Infections

Bacteria Blood Infections

Bacteria blood infections fall under the general term “bacteremia.” Bacteremia may be further classified based on its effect on the body, such as sepsis or endocarditis. It may also be classified by the specific bacteria, such as staph, strep B infections or E. Coli.

1. Sepsis

   • Sepsis results from the body’s natural defense mechanisms. When the body discovers infectious bacteria in the bloodstream, its internal temperature will increase, or inflame. Sepsis occurs when the inflammation spreads from the site of infection to other tissues. This widespread inflammation can damage tissue, create microscopic blood clots and drop blood pressure dangerously. The final stage of sepsis is called septic shock, a life-threatening condition.

   Endocarditis

   • Endocarditis occurs when bacteria spreads from the bloodstream to the heart, and if left untreated, endocarditis can be life threatening. In addition to abnormal heart beat and heart failure, endocarditis can spread infection to other parts of the body. Blood may carry the infectious bacteria to other internal organs, such as the brain, lungs or kidneys.

     Normally, bacteria will lodge in damaged valves, so people with healthy hearts have little chance of contracting endocarditis.

   Staph

   • Staph infections result from Staphylococcus bacteria penetrating the body. In most cases, these bacteria cause only minor infections, but in the bloodstream the infection can be serious. If left untreated, a staph infection can damage the internal organs.

     Toxic shock syndrome, whose precise causes are unknown, is an especially dangerous type of staph infection. Researchers have linked some cases with super-absorbent tampons, yet toxic shock syndrome may also develop in men and children.

   Strep B

   • Streptococcus falls into two groups, named simply Group A and Group B, and the difference lies in cell wall composition: In its cell wall, Streptococcal bacteria in Group B has a special carbohydrate that Group A lacks. It Strep B that infects the blood, primarily in newborns. Doctors can prevent Strep B by administering antibiotics during pregnancy, though pregnant women, adults with other illnesses, and the elderly can also catch Step B infections.

   E. Coli

   • E. Coli occurs naturally in the intestines. However, when it spreads to bloodstream, E. Coli can be problematic, particularly for the elderly. According to one study by Group Health researchers, E. Coli blood infections may affect as many as 53,000 non-institutionalized individuals.