Community-onset bacteremia may be an ominous sign

Excerpt

Several community-acquired infections, such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and diarrhea, may be associated with bacteremia in a minority of patients. Bacteremia is considered to be a normal variation of the clinical presentation of such infections and, as such, it generally does not change the physician’s approach to therapeutic managment of the infection. However, experienced physicians are clearly aware of the possibility that bacteremia may lead to secondary metastatic complications, such as bacterial arthritis, spondylodiscitis, or endocarditis. Certain pathogens, such as pneumococci, are more frequently associated with such complications than others, such as, for example, Escherichia coli. Good clinical management of these infections requires that the patient be examined at frequent intervals to control the development of such complications and to ensure that the duration of antibiotic therapy is carefully tailored to the clinical course of the specific infection. …