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COVID-19 Updates: Visitor Guidelines, Vaccines & More

Safety Measures at Riley Children’s Health

We are taking thoughtful steps to ensure our spaces remain safe for patients, parents and caregivers. View safety measures, mask policy and visiting guidelines.


COVID-19 Vaccines

The COVID-19 vaccine is available to anyone 5 and older. People younger than 18 must receive the Pfizer vaccine. To schedule an appointment, call 211 or visit ourshot.in.gov. Several COVID-19 vaccine locations also offer walk-in appointments. View full details.

Actualizaciones de COVID-19: Políticas para visitantes, vacunas y más

Medidas de seguridad en Riley Children's Health

Estamos adoptando medidas reflexivas para garantizar que nuestros espacios sigan siendo seguros para los pacientes, los padres y los cuidadores. Vea las medidas de seguridad, la política de uso de mascarillas y las directrices de visitas.

Vacunas contra la COVID-19

La vacuna contra la COVID-19 está disponible para cualquier persona mayor de 5 años. Las personas menores de 18 años deben recibir la vacuna de Pfizer. Para programar una cita, llame al 211 o visite la página ourshot.in.gov. Varios centros de vacunación contra la COVID-19 atienden sin cita previa. Vea todos los detalles.

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Riley Children's Health

Bloodstream Infection

Bloodstream Infection
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Bacteria, viruses or fungi that spread through the bloodstream cause bloodstream infections. Some blood infections are fairly harmless while others are life-threatening. Germs that cause these infections may come from outside the body or from inside the body where they normally live.

Bloodstream infections can be serious for any child, but the risk of worse outcomes is greater in children with:

  • Underdeveloped immune systems
  • Illnesses such as a urinary tract infection
  • Conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

There are many types of bloodstream infections including:

  • Catheter-related infections (from the use of tubes placed in veins)
  • HIV
  • Salmonella
  • Sepsis
  • Staph

The symptoms of bloodstream infection include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Body aches
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Chills
  • High heart rate
  • Rapid breathing
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rash
  • Confusion

Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infection

Pediatric infectious disease specialists at Riley at IU Health use the following tests to diagnose bloodstream infections:

  • Blood tests. These tests are performed to see if bacteria are in the blood.
  • Urinalysis. In this test, a urine sample is looked at under a microscope and cultured to check for bacteria.
  • Imaging tests. A chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan may be performed to check for infections in organs.
  • Spinal tap. In this test, a sample of spinal fluid is tested for meningitis, an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Treatments

Treatments

If your child has a blood infection, intravenous (IV) antibiotics that fight against a wide range of germs are the first course of treatment. Once blood cultures identify a specific disease-causing germ, your child receives more targeted antibiotics.

The duration of treatment depends on the type of bacteria found in the blood and the overall health of the child. Your child's pediatric infectious disease specialist will decide if your child should receive treatment in the hospital or at home. Your child should take all medicines as directed and have follow-up visits with the doctor

Key Points to Remember

Key Points to Remember

  • Bacteria, viruses or fungi can cause blood infections that spread through the bloodstream to organs and other parts of the body.
  • Bloodstream infections are serious for a child with a weak immune system or other health conditions.
  • IV antibiotics are the first line of treatment, because they work against a wide range of germs.

Locations

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

Riley Infectious Diseases

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575 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202

317.944.7260

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Riley Pediatric Infectious Disease

11590 N Meridian St
Carmel, IN 46032

317.944.7260

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Departments Treating This Condition

Departments Treating This Condition

  • Infectious Diseases
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Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

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Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

©2022 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org


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