A blood culture is a test on a sample of blood to check for bacteria in the bloodstream; it may be done if a doctor suspects a blood infection. A blood culture may be helpful in determining the specific bacteria causing an infection and selecting the appropriate antibiotic to treat it.
Usually a blood culture is needed only if a person is severely ill. Blood cultures are commonly done when a person has a high fever or shaking chills that indicate there may be bacteria in the blood.
It usually takes between 1 and 3 days to get the results of a blood culture; however, it can take as long as 7 to 10 days.
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Joseph O'Donnell, MD - Hematology/Oncology |
| Last Updated: September 12, 2008 | |
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