How much bacteria do you need in a blood culture for it too show up?

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clairehair

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Your friend is probably thinking of rheumatic fever commonly associated with strep throat or carditis which is also associated with rheumatic fever although only a certain strain only but not common in itself. I have been a nurse for 20 years and seen it only once. Strep throat alone can also cause fever and can be quite tough to get rid of and can need several bouts of antibiotics to kick it. The cultures will absolutely show strep throat if she still has it, if indeed you are talking about throat cultures, if you are talking blood cultures for "heart infection" or rheumatic fever then it may not show up in these later stages but a simple blood test can throw up some clues for the Doctors as both rheumatic fever and carditis will show some changes in her blood work. An EKG would also confirm any cardiac involvement. Rheumatic fever commonly causes joint pain and fever, maybe even some chest pain and shortness of breath. I cannot say for sure of course she doesn't have rheumatic fever but coupled with the fact her only symptom is strep throat and a fever and the fact she has been on antibiotics from the outset, my guess is she has a stubborn strep throat. When all has settled down and if this is a pattern for her, she might want to consider a tonsillectomy.
 
My friend has been sick for months and on several courses of antibiotics. She believes that she has a heart infection and thats why she has fevers. Shes really worried that all the antibiotics shes taken has suppressed a larger infection that was not identified (except strep in throat). A doc has ordered cultures that she waited a week to take since her last antibiotics. Do you think it would show up if the infection is there? Curious?
 
I donno. I actually am supposed to take some myself to see if i have anything going on cause my liver enzymes are elevated. I was actually wondering the same thing cause i was on several courses for sinus, ear, uti ect so i'd like to know the answer to that cause it seems if u were recently on them or a bigger infection is present then it might not show. I wish someone would enlighten us instead of answering questions about pimples.
 
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