Bacteriabldcult
A blood culture test checks for bacteria or fungi in your blood to diagnose infections.
{"A blood culture test detects harmful bacteria or fungi in your bloodstream","It helps doctors diagnose serious infections like sepsis or bloodstream infections","Results typically take 2-5 days as the sample needs to grow in a lab"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 600-7
- Short code
- BLDCX
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Bld Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles (e.g., BacT/ALERT, BACTEC bottles); pediatric blood culture bottles for smaller volume requirements
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- culture
- CPT
- 87040
- SNOMED
- 37083004
- Specimen volume
- Adults: 20-30 mL total blood per culture set (8-10 mL per bottle, 2 bottles per set); 2-3 sets recommended per septic episode. Pediatric: 1-3 mL per bottle minimum, adjusted by weight and age
- Stability
- Blood culture bottles should be transported to the laboratory and incubated within 2 hours of collection. Do not refrigerate. Maintain at room temperature (18-25°C) during transport. Bottles can be held up to 24 hours before instrument loading if maintained at room temperature
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 24–120 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A Blood Culture test is a laboratory test that detects bacteria or fungi (yeast) in your blood. When harmful microorganisms enter your bloodstream, they can multiply and cause serious infections. This test helps doctors find out exactly what type of bacteria or fungus is causing an infection, which is important for choosing the right treatment.
Why do I need this test?
Your doctor may order a blood culture test if you have symptoms of a serious infection, such as fever, chills, rapid breathing, or confusion. It is commonly used to diagnose sepsis (a life-threatening response to infection), bloodstream infections, endocarditis (heart valve infection), or infections that have spread from another part of the body.
How is the test done?
A healthcare provider will clean the skin on your arm with an antiseptic to prevent contamination. Then, they will draw blood from a vein, usually in your arm. The blood is placed into special bottles containing culture media that help bacteria or fungi grow. Multiple blood samples are often taken from different veins to improve accuracy.
What do the results mean?
A positive result means bacteria or fungi were found in your blood, indicating a bloodstream infection. The lab will identify the specific type of microorganism and test which antibiotics will work best against it (this is called susceptibility testing). A negative result means no growth was detected after the incubation period, but this does not completely rule out infection if you still have symptoms.
Reference range
No growth of pathogenic bacteria. Positive cultures reported with organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility results when applicableN/A
Skin antisepsis with chlorhexidine gluconate or 2% iodine tincture prior to venipuncture. Disinfect blood culture bottle tops with 70% isopropyl alcohol before inoculation. Collect from two or more separate venipuncture sites (typically peripheral sites plus one set from central line if present) to differentiate true bacteremia from contamination. For pediatric patients, minimum volumes and single-site collections may be acceptable per institutional guidelines. Strict aseptic technique is mandatory to prevent contamination and false-positive results
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Does a positive result always mean I have a serious infection?
What happens after a positive blood culture?
Is the test painful?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy