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Blood culture test for detecting serious bacterial infections and sepsis in bloodstream

Blood Culture Test for Fever and Suspected Infection

Culture, Blood

Google
3,138 reviews
  • Detects bacteria in your blood.
  • Identifies infections in your bloodstream.
  • Finds germs causing illness.
First results as soon as overnight*

90 day happiness guarantee

We stand behind our service

Prescription & fees included

Go directly to the lab, no extra fees

Easy to understand results

With friendly doctor's notes & guidance

Fast & convenient

Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out

90 day happiness guarantee

We stand behind our service

Prescription & fees included

Go directly to the lab, no extra fees

Easy to understand results

With friendly doctor's notes & guidance

Fast & convenient

Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out

What's this test for?

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.

How should I prepare for this test?

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.

What's included in this test?

Culture, Blood

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 happens after I get my results?
You'll receive doctor notes in clear language explaining whether bacteria were found in your blood and what type, if any. These notes include crucial next steps such as whether antibiotic treatment is needed, what specific antibiotics the bacteria respond to, and when to follow up with your healthcare provider. You'll also get the standard lab report, and if you're being monitored for recurring infections, you can track your culture results over time using our trends feature.
When will I get my results?
Blood culture results typically take 24-48 hours for initial findings, though complete identification of bacteria and antibiotic sensitivity testing may take 3-5 days. If bacteria are detected early, your doctor may receive preliminary results within the first day. Negative results (no bacteria detected) usually take the full incubation period of several days to confirm.
Who should consider getting this test?
This test is ordered for people with signs of severe infection including persistent high fever, chills with shaking, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, or confusion. It's essential for anyone suspected of having sepsis, patients with implanted medical devices like heart valves or catheters, people with weakened immune systems, or those with unexplained fevers that don't respond to treatment.
What symptoms indicate I may need this test?
Key warning signs include high fever above 101°F that won't break, severe chills or shaking, rapid heartbeat or breathing, extreme weakness or fatigue, confusion or disorientation, and low blood pressure. Other concerning symptoms include persistent fever in someone with a weakened immune system, recent surgery, or indwelling catheters or medical devices.
What does a positive blood culture mean?
A positive result means bacteria have been found in your bloodstream, confirming a bloodstream infection. This requires immediate medical attention and typically involves targeted antibiotic treatment based on the specific bacteria identified and its sensitivity pattern. Your doctor will determine the source of infection and appropriate treatment duration, which may range from days to weeks depending on severity.
What does a negative blood culture mean?
A negative result means no bacteria were detected in your blood sample during the testing period. This is a good sign, though it doesn't always rule out infection completely, especially if you were already on antibiotics when the sample was taken. Your doctor may order additional tests or repeat cultures if symptoms persist or if there's strong suspicion of infection.
What happens if my blood culture is positive?
If bacteria are detected, you'll typically need antibiotic treatment immediately, often starting with broad-spectrum antibiotics until the specific bacteria and its sensitivities are identified. Your doctor will adjust treatment based on culture results to target the specific infection. You may need hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics depending on the severity, and follow-up cultures may be done to confirm the infection has cleared.
How’s this work?
Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:
  1. In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
  2. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
  3. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
  4. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
  5. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
  6. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
  7. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
  8. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected] and we'll gladly help you.
How do I know which test to get?
In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.

Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at [email protected], and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.
Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?
Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.

Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at [email protected]. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.

There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.

Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.
Do you accept health insurance?
Only HSA & FSA is accepted.

Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.

This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected].
Can I cancel my order?
Yes.

We get it – sometimes your needs change.

As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.

If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected].

You can read more about our cancellation policy here.
How can I find a lab location near me?
During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).

Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected] and we'll gladly help you.

Here’s why 1,000,000+ customers chose us for affordable hassle-free private blood testing.

You get clinical lab reports & simplified health insights.
Save time & gas, go straight to the lab. Our doctors cover the rest.
Results start landing the next day after your lab visit.*
We don’t sell or share your data. Your time & privacy matter.
US-licensed doctors have your back if things get unclear.
No hidden fees, nice discounts for regular checkups.
Save a trip to the doctor, go directly to the lab
Instant orders, results often overnight*
Results explained in simple language
Reviewed by US licensed doctors
Fast & confidential, we never sell or share your data
No insurance needed, transparent pricing
Demo results
Blood Culture Negative
Demo results
Negative Positive
Negative

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.

* Regular blood test results (e.g., CBC) typically start arriving the next business day after sample collection. More complex tests, such as hormone panels, may take up to 10–15 business days due to their complexity.
Here’s how easy it is to get blood work done on your terms
Choose a checkup
Order your test Save a trip to the doctor. Your results will come with clear, friendly explanations. Takes 2 minutes
Book a lab
Book an appointment Visit any of our 4,000 nearby lab locations to have your samples collected. Book or walk-in
Choose a checkup
Get results Receive a clear, easy-to-digest health report by email & SMS within a few business days. Get answers, fast

Blood Culture Test for Fever and Suspected Infection

Google
3,138 reviews
  • Detects bacteria in your blood.
  • Identifies infections in your bloodstream.
  • Finds germs causing illness.

1,000,000+ blood tests later, here's what our customers say

Google reviews 3138 reviews Next
Still got questions? Text our super-cool support team at 754-799-7833 to get help finding your ideal checkup.