What is Blood Culture?
A blood culture is an examination to detect an infection in the blood and identify the possible cause(s). Infection of the blood may be due to foreign bodies or pathogens, such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, or virus.
When bacteria are present in the bloodstream, it is known as bacteremia. The most prevalent sources of blood infections in the case of bacteremia are the ones that originate in the lungs, skin, gastrointestinal tract, or urine.
Similarly, fungemia and viremia reflects the presence of fungi and viruses in the blood, respectively.
A blood culture test checks the blood for bacteria or other microorganisms that might be the causative agent. During a blood culture, a lab technician draws out blood from the body for analysis. The doctor is likely to prescribe a suitable treatment based on the test results.
What is the Purpose of the test?
Blood culture test helps the doctor to:-
- Identify the causative organism behind the infection
- Chalk out an appropriate treatment procedure
Blood infections, if not diagnosed on time, can lead to severe and life-threatening conditions. One such condition is sepsis.
When the immune system fails to manage a severe blood infection, it may give rise to a life-threatening systemic condition called sepsis. Wherein the immune system fails to recognise its own tissues and attacks them.
In sepsis, the pathogens interfere with the natural defense mechanism of the body while preventing it from fighting infections. Moreover, the pathogenic agents produce toxic substances that are likely to harm the organs.
What Are The Symptoms Of Blood Infection?
Do not ignore the blood infection symptoms, as neglecting them can lead to a life-threatening complication called sepsis. The signs and symptoms of blood infection and sepsis are more or less the same. However with sepsis, one may also experience the signs of organ damage. The symptoms of blood infection include:
- Moderate to high body temperature and shaking chills
- Rapid breathing and heart rate
- Headache, muscle pain, and excessive tiredness
- Confusion, dizziness, and nausea
- Blotchy skin and inflammation all over the body
- Decreased urine production with one or multiple organ failure
What do the Results Mean?
The blood culture report time can be as early as 24-hours. However, to understand which microorganism is causing the infection, one will likely have to wait for around 48 to 72-hours. The test results mean the following:
- A positive blood culture test report means there is a presence of bacteria or other microorganisms in the blood.
- A negative report suggests there are no microorganisms in the blood.
Based on the causative agent, the doctor is likely to recommend another test known as susceptibility or sensitivity test. It is a standard exercise if the blood culture test results are positive. It allows the doctor to determine the course of treatment.
Also Read – What Do You Need to Know About the CBC Test?
What Is The Cost For A Blood Culture Test?
The average blood culture test price might be somewhere around Rs. 2000 to Rs. 2500. If you are looking for a reputable diagnostic center in your city that asks for nominal charges for a blood culture test, you can trust the expertise of Agilus Diagnostics. It is India’s largest and fastest-growing network pertaining to healthcare and wellness.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
