Learning points for diagnosis and management of sepsis in the community:
- All pregnant and recently delivered women need to be informed about the risks and signs and symptoms of genital tract infection and how to prevent its transmission
- Sepsis should be considered in recently delivered women who feel unwell and have a fever (pyrexia)
- The severity of illness should not be underestimated
- Early referral to hospital may be lifesaving
- The risk of sepsis is increased after prolonged rupture of membranes, emergency caesarean section and if products of conception are retained after miscarriage, termination of pregnancy or delivery
- Delivery in water carries a risk of infection for the mother and baby due to faecal contamination of the perineum and genital tract
- Any problems noted during the hospital stay should be reported directly to the community carers at the time of the woman's discharge so that appropriate follow-up visits may be arranged, and the significance of developing symptoms recognised
- Advice to all pregnant and recently delivered women to avoid contamination of the perineum by washing their hands before and after using the lavatory or changing sanitary towels. It is especially necessary when the woman or her family or close contacts have a sore throat or upper respiratory tract infection.