bacteremia
noun
Note: Bacteremia is often transient and asymptomatic but may be associated with invasion of the bloodstream from a usually localized source of infection (such as a skin wound, indwelling catheter, or urinary tract infection) and can lead to sepsis.
compare septicemia, viremiaExamples of bacteremia in a Sentence
Amanda MacMillan, Health, 9 Sep. 2025
The clinic adds that untreated cellulitis can lead to other complications as well, including bacteremia (when bacteria enters the bloodstream), toxic shock syndrome and more.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024
Doc talk Occult bacteremia The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream of a child with a fever, but who looks well and has no obvious source of infection.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2023
Specifically, the agencies test for enterococcus, a bacteria that is a common cause of infections, including UTIs, bacteremia and infective endocarditis, according to the National Institutes of Health.
—Margaret Kates | [email protected], al, 21 June 2023
The types of infections most commonly resulting from GBS are bacteremia, sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in newborns.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2022
Comparison of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Bacteremia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bacteremia. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bacteremia
nounNote: Bacteremia is often transient and asymptomatic but may be associated with invasion of the bloodstream from a usually localized source of infection (as a skin wound, indwelling catheter, or urinary tract infection) and lead to sepsis.
compare septicemia, viremia
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