infection imaging results waiting

Overview

When your doctor suspects an infection inside your body, they might send you for an imaging test such as an X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound. These scans give a picture of what is happening inside. This article helps you understand why you may be waiting for results, what happens next, and how to look after yourself during this time.

Yes. Many people each year have imaging scans to check for possible infections. Waiting for results is a standard part of the process.

It can affect anyone who has signs of an infection that a doctor wants to see clearly. This includes people with fever, cough, abdominal pain, bone pain, or serious illness. It can happen in children, adults, and older people.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Fever or chills
• Cough that does not get better
• Pain in the belly, chest, back, or bones
• Heat, swelling, or redness in one area of the body
• Feeling very tired and unwell

Symptoms in children

• High temperature
• Being less active or sleepy than usual
• Poor feeding or reduced appetite
• Crying or fussiness that is not normal
• Faster breathing or grunting sounds

Symptoms in older adults

• Confusion or falling suddenly
• Low energy or weakness
• Loss of appetite or not drinking enough
• Being less mobile or unsteady
• A change in body temperature (sometimes no fever at all)

Causes

Main causes

• An infection may be too deep for a doctor to feel or see, like in the kidney, liver, spine, or deep in the lung.
• Blood tests might not show exactly where the infection is.
• The doctor needs to know if the infection has caused an abscess (a collection of pus) that might need drainage.

Risk factors

• Recently had surgery – infections can form in deeper tissue after an operation.
• A weakened immune system due to illness or treatment, such as chemotherapy.
• Long-term conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, or heart disease.
• Taking medicines that lower immunity, like steroids.
• Older age – symptoms can be less clear and infections may be harder to find.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Call your local emergency number right away if you have any of the emergency symptoms above.
• If you cannot reach your doctor, go to the nearest emergency department.
• Do not wait for your imaging results if your symptoms become severe.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Contact your doctor's office for an update on your results if you haven't heard back in the timeframe they gave you.
• Book an appointment to discuss the results and next steps with your care team.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis starts with your symptoms and a physical exam. Your doctor may order blood or urine tests. Imaging is used to look deep inside your body for signs of infection, such as fluid, swelling, or abscesses. A radiologist – a doctor trained to read scans – will look at the images and send a report to your regular doctor.

Tests that may be done

• X-ray – a quick test that uses small amounts of radiation to see bones and the lungs.
• CT scan (computed tomography) – uses several X-ray pictures to make a detailed 3D image of your body.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – uses a strong magnet and radio waves to make very detailed pictures, especially of soft tissues and the brain.
• Ultrasound – uses sound waves to see organs like the liver, gallbladder, and kidneys, and can find fluid pockets.
• Nuclear medicine scan – a small amount of a safe tracer is given, which can collect in areas of infection and show up on a special camera.

What to expect at your appointment

You will be checked into the imaging department, and may need to remove some clothing and wear a gown. Depending on the scan, you may be asked to lie still, hold your breath, or breathe gently. Some scans involve a contrast dye, given as a drink or through an IV, which helps the infection show up more clearly. The scan itself often takes between 5 and 45 minutes. After the scan you can usually go home and carry on as normal. The images are studied later, so results are not read immediately. Ask your doctor when you should expect it.

Treatment

Treatment only begins after the results are known. What happens next depends on what the scan shows and the severity of the infection. Your care team will explain the findings and recommend a plan. Most infections are treated with medicines and supportive care. Some may need a procedure to drain fluid and others may need more time and monitoring.

Self-care at home

• While you wait, follow any advice your doctor gave you, including taking any medicines they prescribed (never stop or change them without talking to your doctor).
• Get plenty of rest to help your immune system work.
• Drink enough fluids unless your doctor says otherwise.
• Keep a note of your temperature and any changes in symptoms to share with your care team.
• Try gentle relaxation, deep breathing, or talking to someone you trust.

Medical treatments

Depending on the infection, treatment may include fluids given into a vein, oxygen support if the lungs are involved, antibiotics (usually taken by mouth or through a drip) or other medicines to fight the infection. Pain relief can be provided when needed. If the infection has formed an abscess, the doctor may drain it using a needle or a thin tube. The exact choice of treatment will always be tailored to you – your care team will discuss the options and the risks and benefits.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not common for most infections. It may be considered if there is a large abscess that cannot be drained with a needle, or if infected tissue is damaging an organ and needs to be removed. If surgery is recommended, your team will explain exactly why and what to expect.

Living with this condition

During the waiting period, keep living as normally as your energy allows. Keep a simple diary of your symptoms, fluids, and temperature. Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor when the results come in. It can help to write down your worries so you can discuss them.

Lifestyle tips

• Get a good balance of rest and light activity.
• Try to keep a regular daily routine.
• Use relaxation methods like gentle breathing, mindfulness, or a calm hobby.
• Stay connected with family and friends – you don't have to cope alone.

Diet and exercise

Eat small, balanced meals to give your body energy. If you feel like eating, choose foods that are easy to digest, like soups, rice, toast, and fruit. Light activity, like a short walk, is fine if you feel well enough. If you have a fever, rest is more important than exercise. Always follow your doctor's advice about physical activity, especially after surgery or if you feel unwell.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Waiting for test results can bring up feelings of anxiety, worry, and uncertainty. It is completely normal. If these feelings are affecting your sleep, appetite, or daily life, tell your care team. They can connect you to a mental health professional or a counsellor. In a moment of crisis, please reach out for help immediately – your local mental health crisis service or emergency number is available, and you deserve support.

Prevention

You cannot always prevent an infection, but good hygiene and a healthy lifestyle reduce the risk. Washing your hands, keeping wounds clean, and managing long-term conditions like diabetes can make a difference.

Vaccines

Getting recommended vaccines can protect you from some infections, such as the flu, pneumonia, and other vaccine-preventable illnesses. Ask your healthcare provider which vaccines are recommended for you.

Screening programmes

Imaging is not used to screen for infection. It is a diagnostic tool for when an infection is suspected. However, if you have a condition that raises your risk, your doctor may order follow-up tests at intervals to check that nothing is going wrong.

Complications

If left untreated

• If a serious infection is not diagnosed, it can spread to other parts of the body.
• Illnesses like pneumonia, kidney infection, or deep abscess can become more severe over time.
• The most serious consequence is sepsis – a life-threatening reaction by the body to infection.

Long-term outlook

The outlook is generally very good. Imaging helps doctors find infections and treat them quickly, which improves recovery. Most people treated for an infection get better within days to weeks. If the scan finds something more serious, knowing the problem early gives you the best chance to act. You are not alone – a caring team will be with you.

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