BACTEREMIA Meaning and
Definition
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Bacteremia is a medical term used to describe the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. It is a condition where bacteria from an infection site spreads into the bloodstream, allowing the bacteria to travel and potentially cause infections in other parts of the body. Bacteremia can be caused by a variety of bacteria, including both harmful and non-harmful types.
When bacteria enters the bloodstream, the immune system's defenses are activated to fight off the infection. However, in some cases, the immune response may not effectively clear the bacteria, leading to the development of an ongoing, systemic infection. This can result in serious complications, such as sepsis, an overwhelming immune response that can cause organ failure and even be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
Symptoms of bacteremia can vary depending on the person and the underlying infection causing it, but commonly include fever, chills, headache, and fatigue. Diagnosis is typically made through blood cultures, where a sample of blood is tested for the presence of bacteria. Treatment for bacteremia usually involves targeted antibiotic therapy to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment of bacteremia is crucial to prevent the spread of infection and the development of serious complications.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BACTEREMIA
Etymology of BACTEREMIA
The word "bacteremia" is derived from two root words: "bacter-" and "-emia".
1. "Bacter-" comes from the Greek word "baktḗrion", meaning "small stick". In Greek, this term referred to a small, rod-shaped organism, which later became associated with bacteria.
2. The suffix "-emia" also has Greek origins, derived from the word "haima", meaning "blood". "-emia" is used to indicate a condition related to blood.
Therefore, the word "bacteremia" combines these two elements to describe a condition in which bacteria are present in the bloodstream.
Similar spelling words for BACTEREMIA
- bactericidal,
- bacteriostat,
- bacterise,
- bacteremic,
- bactericide,
- bacteriaemia,
- bacteria,
- bacterium,
- bacteriemia,
- bacterial,
- bacteriacide,
- bacteroid,
- bacterially,
- bacteroidal,
- bacteroides,
- bacterioid,
- bacteriophage,
- bacteria bed,
- bacterioidal,
- bacterize,
- basseterre.
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