Blood Test : Blood Cultures

In this test, a sample of blood from a vein is taken (venipuncture). Through special laboratory procedures, the blood is incubated over night. If bacteria are present in the blood specimen, they will grow in the laboratory and be identified.

Using the information derived from the blood culture, it is possible to determine the most appropriate antibiotic for treatment of the patient's infection. Patients who require blood cultures are often admitted to the hospital (pending final culture results, in 24-48 hours).

Here are some instances where blood cultures are performed:

1. Any patient thought to have a blood borne infection (pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis).

2. Infants under 2 years of age with fever. This age group is at much greater risk for a blood borne infection, particularly in the presence of high fever (sepsis).

3. Elderly patients with an unknown source of fever.

4. Any immunocompromised patient who runs a fever: AIDS patient, diabetic patient, or the cancer patient on chemotherapy.

MEDICAL TESTS

Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal X-Ray
Allergy Testing
Amniocentesis
Amylase Blood Test
Angiodynography
Angiogram
Arterial Blood Gases
Arthrocentesis
Arthrogram
Barium Enema
Blood Chemistry
Blood Coagulation Test
Blood Cultures
Blood Glucose Test
Blood Test Smac 25
Bone Marrow Biopsy Aspiration
Cardiac Catheterization Angioplasty
Cardiac Enzymes
Cholesterol Blood Test
Complete Blood Count
CT Scanning Back
CT Scanning Chest Abdomen
Drug Levels
Glucose Tolerance Test
Hepatitis Blood Test
HIV Blood Test
Kidney Biopsy
Kidney Blood Test
Lipoproteins
Liver Biopsy
Liver Blood Test
Lymph Node Biopsy
Mononucleosis Test
Paracentesis
Peritoneal Lavage
Pregnancy Blood Test
Prostate Specific Antigen
Skin Biopsy
Spine X-Rays
Thyroid Biopsy
Thyroid Blood Test
Toxicology