Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) is a microbiology culture. The sample is incubated to grow any organisms present and, where growth is found, tested against antibiotics to guide targeted treatment.
Also known as: Blood Culture and Sensitivity
Sample
Blood
Fasting
Not required
Report in
120 hours
Collection
At our lab
Blood Culture and Sensitivity tests a blood sample to check for bacteria or fungi circulating in the bloodstream (bacteraemia/septicaemia) - a potentially serious condition. If organisms grow, the lab also determines which antibiotics will treat the infection effectively.
Ordered when a serious bloodstream infection is suspected - typically with high fever, chills, or signs of sepsis - to identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic treatment.
It can help your doctor assess
Bloodstream infection (bacteraemia or fungaemia/sepsis).
This test may be considered for:
Anyone with high fever with chills, signs of severe infection, or suspected sepsis, usually ordered by a treating doctor in a clinical setting.
Whether this test is right for you depends on your symptoms, medical history and the reason for testing - your doctor can advise.
Whether any bacteria or fungi grow from a blood sample, which organism is present, and its antibiotic sensitivity pattern.
Organism Growth & Sensitivity
Culture Result
A positive blood culture identifies the specific organism causing the bloodstream infection and which antibiotics will be effective against it - critical information for treating serious infections.
How to read your result
Your report should be read using the reference interval, unit and method shown by the performing laboratory. A result outside a reference interval does not automatically establish a diagnosis, and a result inside the interval does not rule out every health problem. Clinical interpretation depends on symptoms, history and other findings.
| Marker | Result | What it may be associated with |
|---|---|---|
| Culture | Positive (growth) | Indicates a bloodstream infection - the specific organism and sensitivity results guide urgent, targeted antibiotic treatment. |
If a result is outside the range
If the Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) is reported as high, low, positive, negative or otherwise outside the laboratory's stated interval, the meaning depends on the specific test and the reason it was ordered. Your clinician may consider repeat testing, related investigations or other clinical information before deciding what the result means.
Limitations of this test
Results typically take a few days since organisms need time to grow, so treatment often starts empirically based on clinical judgement while culture results are awaited.
An abnormal result does not by itself mean you have a particular disease. Your doctor interprets results together with your symptoms, history and other tests.
| Parameter | Reference range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Culture | No growth | — |
Typical adult ranges for guidance. Reference intervals vary with the laboratory method, age and sex - always read your result against the range printed on your own report.
Book
Choose the test and a time slot online, or call us and we'll book it for you.
Prepare
Follow the preparation steps above for this test.
Sample at our lab
Visit our Malad West lab (open 24×7), where the sample is collected.
Laboratory processing
Your sample is processed in our laboratory and reviewed by a pathologist.
Report
Your report is shared on WhatsApp and email, usually within 120 hours.
For a blood-based test, a small blood sample is collected by a trained healthcare professional, usually from a vein in the arm. The collection normally takes only a few minutes; mild temporary discomfort or bruising can occur at the puncture site.
Prior antibiotic use before sample collection can reduce the chance of detecting the organism, so ideally the sample is taken before starting antibiotics when clinically safe to do so.
Laboratory results are interpreted together with your symptoms, medical history and other investigations. If your results are significantly abnormal, or you have symptoms that worry you, discuss them with a qualified doctor promptly.
Trusted public health sources for the information on this page:
This information is for general awareness and does not replace advice from your doctor.
The Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) test cost in Mumbai at HWP Diagnostic is ₹1,249 - 24% less than the MRP of ₹1,649. The test is done at our Malad West lab, open 24×7. The same price applies across Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Goregaon.
| Test | Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) |
|---|---|
| Price at HWP Diagnostic | ₹1,249 |
| MRP | ₹1,649 (you save ₹400 - 24% off) |
| Home collection charge | Not applicable - done at our lab |
| Report time | 120 hours |
| Fasting | Not required |
| Available in | Malad, Kandivali, Borivali & Goregaon (same price) |
Get your Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) test done at our lab in Malad West, Mumbai - open 24×7, no appointment queue. Book a slot online or call us.
It is also known as Blood Culture and Sensitivity.
Home collection at the same price (₹1,249) across these areas, with our lab in Malad West open 24×7.
Get this test along with other important checks - usually for less than booking them separately.
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It specifically tests the blood for organisms, used when a bloodstream infection (sepsis) is suspected - a more serious condition than a localised infection.
Typically a few days, since bacteria or fungi need time to grow in culture before identification and sensitivity testing can be completed.
Ideally the sample is collected before starting antibiotics, since prior antibiotic use can reduce the chance of detecting the organism - discuss timing with your doctor.
Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) is a microbiology culture. The sample is incubated to grow any organisms present and, where growth is found, tested against antibiotics to guide targeted treatment.
The Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) may be ordered when a healthcare professional needs information about the condition or health area assessed by this test. Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) is a microbiology culture. The sample is incubated to grow any organisms present and, where growth is found, tested against antibiotics to guide targeted treatment. At HWP Diagnostic the sample is collected at our Malad (W), Mumbai lab centre, and the report is usually shared within about 5 working days. Please carry or upload your doctor's prescription where the test needs one, and discuss the result with your doctor for a full interpretation.
The test may be relevant for people whose symptoms, medical history, screening needs or treatment monitoring match the purpose of the Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle).
Where possible, give the sample before starting antibiotics. It is collected into the sterile container provided.
No, fasting is not required for the Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle). You can eat and drink normally unless your doctor has advised otherwise.
The Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) is done on a blood sample.
For a blood-based test, a small blood sample is collected by a trained healthcare professional, usually from a vein in the arm. The collection normally takes only a few minutes; mild temporary discomfort or bruising can occur at the puncture site.
Reports for the Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) are usually ready in about 5 days of sample collection. You receive them on WhatsApp and email.
The Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) costs Rs 780 at HWP Diagnostic (MRP Rs 1045).
Your report should be read using the reference interval, unit and method shown by the performing laboratory. A result outside a reference interval does not automatically establish a diagnosis, and a result inside the interval does not rule out every health problem. Clinical interpretation depends on symptoms, history and other findings.
If the Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) is reported as high, low, positive, negative or otherwise outside the laboratory's stated interval, the meaning depends on the specific test and the reason it was ordered. Your clinician may consider repeat testing, related investigations or other clinical information before deciding what the result means.
The Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) can provide important information, but laboratory results are generally interpreted together with symptoms, medical history, examination and other investigations. A single result should not be treated as a diagnosis without clinical context.
Some medicines, supplements, food, exercise and other pre-test factors can affect particular laboratory results. Tell the healthcare professional about medicines and supplements you take, and do not stop prescribed medicines unless your clinician tells you to.
The Blood C/S - BacT/Alert (without bottle) needs a visit to our lab at Malad West, Mumbai, which is open 24x7. Please book a slot or call us to plan your visit.
