infections
Salmonella Infections
Spread through the bloodstream
Sometimes the bacteria enter the bloodstream (causing Bacteremia ) and spread, causing infections or collections of pus (abscesses) at distant sites, such as the bones, joints, urinary tract, and lungs. Bacteria may collect and cause infection on artificial (prosthetic) joints or heart valves, on a blood vessel graft, or on tumors. The lining of arteries, usually the aorta (the largest artery in the body), may be infected. Abscesses and infected arteries can cause chronic bacteremia. The infection is more likely to spread through the bloodstream in the following people: Infants Older people, especially those living in a nursing home People with disorders that affect red blood cells, such as Sickle Cell Disease or People with a disorder that weakens the immune system, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection or cancer People who take drugs that suppress the immune system, such as those used to treat cancer or prevent rejection of an organ transplant 