Page "Sepsis" Paragraph 52

Bacteremia is the presence of viable bacteria in the bloodstream.

Likewise, the terms viremia and fungemia simply refer to viruses and fungi in the bloodstream.

These terms say nothing about the consequences this has on the body.

For example, bacteria can be introduced into the bloodstream during toothbrushing.

This form of bacteremia almost never causes problems in normal individuals.

However, bacteremia associated with certain dental procedures can cause bacterial infection of the heart valves ( known as endocarditis ) in high-risk patients.

Conversely, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome can occur in patients without the presence of infection, for example in those with burns, polytrauma, or the initial state in pancreatitis and chemical pneumonitis.