Sepsis Health Dictionary

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Sepsis: From 4 Different Sources

Infection of a wound or body tissues with bacteria that leads to the formation of pus or to the multiplication of the bacteria in the blood. (See also bacteraemia; septicaemia; septic shock.)
Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
Like septicemia, an infection that has moved deeply into the body, involving the subcutaneous or submucosal layers, connective tissue, lymph system...or blood
Health Source: Herbal Medical
Author: Health Dictionary
Poisoning by the products of the growth of micro-organisms in the body, the general symptoms which accompany it are those of INFLAMMATION. Sepsis is prevented by the various procedures mentioned under ASEPSIS, and is treated locally with ANTISEPTICS and systemically with ANTIBIOTICS.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. the putrefactive destruction of tissues by disease-causing bacteria or their toxins. Postpartum (or puerperal) sepsis, characterized by *puerperal pyrexia and other signs of serious infection (septic *shock), occurs within six weeks of childbirth. Postpartum sepsis caused by group A ?–haemolytic streptococci is an important cause of maternal death in the UK.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Puerperal Sepsis

An infection, once called puerperal fever, that starts in the genital tract within ten days after childbirth, miscarriage or abortion (see PREGNANCY AND LABOUR). Once a scourge of childbirth, with many women dying from the infection, the past 50 years have seen a dramatic decline in its incidence in developed countries, with only 1–3 per cent of women having babies now being affected. This decline is due to much better maternity care and the advent of ANTIBIOTICS. Infection usually starts in the VAGINA and is caused by the bacteria that normally live in it: they can cause harm because of the mother’s lowered resistance, or when part of the PLACENTA has been retained in the genital tract. The infection usually spreads to the UTERUS and sometimes to the FALLOPIAN TUBES. Sometimes bacteria may enter the vagina from other parts of the body.

Fever, an o?ensive-smelling post-partum vaginal discharge (lochia) and pain in the lower abdomen are the main features. Untreated, the women may develop SALPINGITIS, PERITONITIS and septicaemia. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection and any retained placental tissue must be removed.... puerperal sepsis

Postpartum Sepsis

see sepsis.... postpartum sepsis

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