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Blood Culture


Formal name: Blood culture

At a Glance

Why Get Tested?

To check for the presence of a systemic infection

When to Get Tested?

When you have signs or symptoms of a bacterial infection, such as fever, chills, elevated white blood cell count, and fatigue, which also may be a sign of infection occurring in other parts of the body, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), pneumonia, diarrhea, or skin infection

Sample Required?

Two or more blood samples drawn from separate venipuncture sites (commonly from veins in your arms)