How long does treatment last for positive blood cultures?

In general, there is no fixed standard for the duration of treatment for positive blood cultures. The length of therapy primarily depends on the type of infectious pathogen, severity of infection, and the patient's underlying health condition. The typical treatment course ranges from two weeks to several months. A detailed analysis is as follows:

If the bloodstream infection is caused by common bacteria and is uncomplicated, and the patient has normal immune function, a standard treatment course of 2–4 weeks is usually sufficient to control the infection once appropriate antibiotics have been identified. However, if the infection is caused by specific pathogens such as *Staphylococcus aureus* or *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, or if complications such as endocarditis or osteomyelitis have developed, treatment should be extended to 4–6 weeks or even longer.

For infections caused by special pathogens such as fungi or *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*, the treatment duration is significantly prolonged. Fungal sepsis requires antifungal therapy for 6–8 weeks, while hematogenous disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis necessitates standardized anti-tuberculosis treatment for more than 6 months. Treatment regimens should be adjusted based on the patient’s response and tolerance. Patients with compromised immunity may require even longer treatment courses to reduce the risk of recurrence.

During treatment, periodic blood culture tests should be performed, and therapeutic strategies adjusted according to clinical indicators. Additionally, nutritional support should be strengthened to enhance the body's ability to fight infection and ensure complete eradication of the pathogen.