<unk>  <unk> , which include bacteremias when the<unk>  are bacterial and fungemias when the<unk>  are fungal, are<unk>  present in the blood. Blood is normally a sterile environment, so the detection of microbes in the blood (most commonly accomplished by blood cultures) is always abnormal. A<unk> is different from sepsis, which is the host response to bacteria. Bacteria can enter the<unk>  as a severe complication of<unk>  (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. 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<unk>  away from the original site of<unk>  such as endocarditis or osteomyelitis. Treatment for bacteremia is with antibiotics, and prevention with antibiotic prophylaxis can be given in high risk situations.
Bloodstream infections
Mouth infection
Lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Skin infection
Internal bleeding
Gastrointestinal pathology
Haemobilia