We stand behind our service
Go directly to the lab, no extra fees
With friendly doctor's notes & guidance
Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out
We stand behind our service
Go directly to the lab, no extra fees
With friendly doctor's notes & guidance
Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out
This test is essential if you're experiencing symptoms of a serious infection like high fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, confusion, or extreme fatigue that won't go away. It detects bacteria circulating in your bloodstream, which can indicate life-threatening conditions like sepsis, endocarditis (heart valve infection), or chronic bacteremia. This test is typically ordered when your doctor suspects a bloodstream infection that needs immediate identification and treatment.
Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions, but generally you should inform them of any antibiotics you're currently taking as these can affect results. The blood sample is usually collected before starting antibiotic treatment when possible, to increase the chance of detecting bacteria. The timing of the sample is often coordinated with fever spikes when bacteria are more likely to be present in the bloodstream.
This test analyzes a sample of your blood to detect and identify any bacteria or microorganisms present in your bloodstream. The culture process allows any bacteria to grow in a controlled lab environment, then identifies the specific type causing infection and tests which antibiotics will work best against it. This is critical for diagnosing serious conditions like sepsis, blood poisoning, endocarditis, or persistent fevers of unknown origin, and helps doctors choose the most effective treatment.
What this means
Your blood culture came back negative, meaning no bacteria or microorganisms were detected in your bloodstream. This is the expected and healthy result, indicating no bloodstream infection at the time of testing.
Recommended actions
Continue monitoring your symptoms and follow up with your healthcare provider if fever or other concerning symptoms persist
Complete any prescribed antibiotic course if you started treatment before the test
Maintain good hygiene and infection prevention practices, especially if you have medical devices or recent procedures
Discuss with your doctor whether additional testing is needed if symptoms continue despite negative culture