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What is the definition of the term puerperal infection?

What is the definition of the term puerperal infection?

A puerperal infection occurs when bacteria infect the uterus and surrounding areas after a woman gives birth. It’s also known as a postpartum infection. It’s estimated that 10 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are caused by infections.

Is puerperal sepsis fatal?

If it develops within six weeks of delivery, it is called postpartum sepsis or puerperal sepsis. Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body’s often deadly inflammatory response to infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.

How is puerperal sepsis prevented?

The skills specific to preventing and managing puerperal sepsis include: identification of risk factors; identification of symptoms and signs; taking a midstream specimen of urine; taking a high vaginal swab; and maintaining vulval hygiene.

What causes puerperal septicemia?

Infection that occurs just after childbirth is also known as puerperal sepsis. Bacteria called group A Streptococcus (GAS) are an important cause of maternal sepsis. GAS usually cause mild throat infections and skin infections, or may have no symptoms at all.

What does postpartum infection look like?

Symptoms of uterine infections commonly include pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, fever (usually within 1 to 3 days after delivery), paleness, chills, a general feeling of illness or discomfort, and often headache and loss of appetite. The heart rate is often rapid. The uterus is swollen, tender, and soft.

What are the signs of puerperal sepsis?

Puerperal sepsis

  • Fever (oral temperature 38.5°C/101.3°F or higher on any occasion).
  • Pelvic pain.
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge, e.g. presence of pus.
  • Abnormal smell/foul odour of discharge.
  • Delay in the rate of reduction of the size of the uterus (involution).

When to know if you have puerperal sepsis?

puerperal sepsis. an infection acquired during the puerperium. Infection in the female genital tract within 10 days of childbirth, MISCARRIAGE, or ABORTION. There is fever, pain in the lower abdomen and an ill-smelling vaginal discharge.

Which is a more general term, puerperal infections or sepsis?

Puerperal infections is a more general term than puerperal sepsis and includes not only infections due to puerperal sepsis, but also all extra-genital infections and incidental infections: Introduction This guideline is to provide recommendations to aid General Practitioners and Obstetricians in the management of Puerperal Sepsis.

When do the symptoms of Puerperal infection begin?

The women after birth must be monitored as the symptoms of puerperal infection typically begin anywhere between 24 hours to 10 days after the infection occurs.

Which is the most common site for Puerperal infection?

The infection may also be referred to as puerperal or postpartum fever. The genital tract, particularly the uterus, is the most commonly infected site. In some cases infection can spread to other points in the body. Widespread infection, or sepsis, is a rare, but potentially fatal complication.