puerperal fever

an INFECTION , now rare in developed countries, that occurs within two or three days of childbirth when a mother is susceptible to disease. Because the body's resources are low and the genital tract after childbirth provides ready access for BACTERIA , it is essential that clean conditions are maintained to avoid INFECTION . A mild infection of the genital tract may cause fever, high temperature and pulse. INFLAMMATION , and possibly PERITONITIS , may result from infection of local LYMPH and BLOOD VESSELS while access to the general circulation can cause SEPTICAEMIA . Serious cases are, however, rare. Preventive measures are vital, but infections respond to ANTIBIOTIC treatment.