Blood C / S Test

A Blood culture is conducted to find germs or foreign invaders, such as bacteria, fungus, and other pathogens in a blood sample. Blood-infections can be severe as well as fatal as it hampers the normal physiology of important organs. Lungs, Gastrointestinal Tract, Gallbladder, Kidney, Heart are common sources of blood-borne infections. Weak or compromised immunity is another reason for infection, especially in case of newborns, kids and older people. Sometimes typical symptoms like fever, nausea, fatigue, muscle aches or inflammatory signs may or may not be observed. In a serious case, an infection can spread to the other parts and become systemic, which is known as sepsis. Blood culture is done more regularly for patients infected with HIV, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune diseases.

You need to tell about the medications you’re having along with the prescription and other nutritional supplements. The doctor may ask you to stop the medication if required because antibiotics can stop the bacterial growth. People who are nervous about needles can talk to the healthcare professional to ease the anxiety.

Blood cultures are prescribed when physician suspect that some kind of infection is present. Recognition of the causative agent is the stepping stone to diagnosis and cure. An abnormal culture is termed as ‘positive’ to show growth of microorganisms in a sample, whereas ‘negative’ result means no trace of bacteria or fungus is found. In case of positive result, ‘sensitive testing’ is done to find the best antibiotic for treatment. Failing to understand the cause of the infection may result in serious issues like Sepsis and organ failure as well.

• At the beginning, a cuff or elastic band is wrapped around the upper arm so that the veins become visible and filled with blood.

• The skin area is cleaned with alcohol or spirit to inhibit any microorganisms on the skin from contaminating the blood test.
• The disposable syringe or needle is inserted which may give a stinging sensation to the patient. Sometimes, multiple blood samples are collected from different veins to eliminate the chances of the infection-causing agents to escape. A tube is attached to the needle for blood collection.
• After the blood collection, the area of puncture is covered with a cotton ball or a gauze pad and a bandage.
• Each sample is tested against a bottle containing ‘broth’. It boosts any microorganisms (bacteria, fungus, protozoan parasite) to grow and is identified through a microscope and other chemical tests.