bacteremia

bac·ter·emia

noun \ˌbak-tə-ˈrē-mē-ə\

Definition of BACTEREMIA

: the usually transient presence of bacteria in the blood

— bac·ter·emic \-mik\ adjective

Origin of BACTEREMIA

New Latin, alteration of bacteriemia, from bacteri- + -emia

First Known Use: circa 1890

bac·ter·emia

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BACTEREMIA

: the usually transient presence of bacteria in the blood

—bac·ter·emic or chiefly British bac·ter·ae·mic \-mik\ adjective

Variants of BACTEREMIA

bac·ter·emia or chiefly British bac·ter·ae·mia \ˌbak-tə-ˈrē-mē-ə\

bacteremia

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Presence of bacteria in the blood. Short-term bacteremia follows dental or surgical procedures, especially if local infection or very high-risk surgery releases bacteria from isolated sites. In some cases, prior antibiotic therapy can prevent this. It causes little problem to a healthy immune system but can be serious for those with prostheses (where infection can center) or high susceptibility to bacterial invasion. Extensive bacteremia can release toxins into the blood (septicemia), leading to shock and vascular collapse. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have increased the rate of severe bacteremia.