Bacteremia is aninfection, resulting from bacteria, that enters the bloodstream.
For an example, we will say the individual has an infected tooth.
At first, the patient feels a minor toothache.
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Then, as the infection continues, the toothache becomes more and more painful.
He tries to use mouthwash and takes ibuprofen for the pain, but it continues to get worse.
Sepsis
When the infection spreads to the bloodstream, it has a new name: bacteremia.
Bacteremia simply means bacteria in the blood.
This condition is better known by other more common but much scarier names:sepsisand septicemia.
These patients are typically cared for in the ICU where constant monitoring is possible.
Mayr FB, Yende S, Angus DC.Epidemiology of severe sepsis.Virulence.
