When bacteria are growing in your child's bloodstream, the condition is called bacteremia.
Bacteremia causes a fever but no other specific symptoms.
This illness usually occurs in children less than 3 years old. It is most common in babies. The diagnosis of bacteremia is made from a blood test. This test requires 24 to 48 hours to show the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. A more specific diagnosis cannot be made until the test results are back.