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)
This article was last reviewed on July 4, 2005.
This page was last modified on April 8, 2009.
The review date indicates when the article was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the article, so the two dates may not always agree.
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