Symptoms Temperature instability (fever or hypothermia) Breathing difficulties, such as grunting or apnea Changes in heart rate (tachycardia or bradycardia) Irritability or lethargy Feeding intolerance, vomiting, or diarrhea Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) Seizures Swollen belly area or abdominal distention Diagnosis Clinical signs: A doctor will look for the nonspecific symptoms listed above. Blood culture: This is the gold standard for diagnosis, as it can confirm the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. Other tests: Various laboratory tests are used to support the diagnosis. Treatment Intravenous (IV) antibiotics: This is the primary treatment to fight the bacterial infection. Supportive care: This may include IV fluids, oxygen, and medication to help with blood pressure and heart function. Other medications: Depending on the infection, antiviral medication may be used. Narrowing antibiotics: Treatment is initially broad but is narrowed to specific antibiotics once the causative organism is identified by the blood culture