Phlebitis: Is It the Result of an Infection?

The symptoms of phlebitis - the swelling and angry red streaking - often make people think it's due to an infection and often confuse the two. Phlebitis is inflammation in a vein. It is the body's response to a trigger that is trapped blood inside the vein. The most common cause of phlebitis is a blood clot.

The blood clot becomes trapped with nowhere to go and causes an inflammation response in the body. Most commonly, the body's inflammation response helps it deal with the blood clot and will take care of it on its own. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and it is usually very uncomfortable and painful. Sometimes it doesn't go away by itself and a visit to your healthcare provider is needed. 

Other Causes of Phlebitis Include:

• Sedentary lifestyle or period of prolonged inactivity causing a blood clot
• Obesity impairs vein circulation and can cause a blood clot
• A blood disorder that increases the clotting potential of the blood
• Severe injury or trauma to your arms or legs
• Hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills
• Pregnancy
• Varicose veins
• Very rare - cancer associated with phlebitis.

With phlebitis, people see the redness and tenderness and automatically think it's an infection. It can be - especially if you have an infection somewhere else in your body - though it is less common. The redness and streaking may mean that the infection is spreading. For that reason, it's always a good idea for your healthcare provider to take a look. If they feel it's necessary, they may prescribe an antibiotic. They may also schedule a vein ultrasound to make sure that there isn't a blood clot somewhere else in your body.