"Blood poisoning" is not a medical term. But as the term is often used, it refers to the presence of bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) or an infection in the blood — and not a poisonous substance in the blood. However, bacteremia and infection can potentially progress to sepsis and septic shock, serious illnesses that require prompt medical attention.
When to see a doctor
If you recently had a medical or dental illness or procedure, such as a wound infection or tooth extraction, or were recently hospitalized, and have any of the following signs and symptoms, see your doctor right away:
- Sudden fever
- Chills, with or without shaking
A diagnosis of bacteremia or infection is confirmed by blood cultures. Treatment requires hospitalization and includes intravenous antibiotics. Without prompt treatment, bacteremia or infection can spread to other areas such as heart valves or other tissues, or progress to severe sepsis and septic shock, which may be life-threatening.
May 17, 2018
See more Expert Answers
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- Doern GV. Blood cultures for the detection of bacteremia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 20, 2018.
- Moehring R, et al. Gram-negative bacillary bacteremia in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 20, 2018.
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 23, 2018.
- Neviere R. Sepsis syndromes in adults: Epidemiology, definitions, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and prognosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 20, 2018.
- Laposta M, ed. Infectious diseases. In: Laboratory Medicine: The Diagnosis of Disease in the Clinical Laboratory. 2nd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2014. http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed May 7, 2018.