What are the causes of infection in the caesarean section wound? How can this issue be avoided? Continue reading the following article to find out the answer.
What are the causes of the infection that results from caesarean sections, which affects 13–15% of women? What are its signs and symptoms? And how might it be handled? The answers are as follows:
Cesarean wound infection
Caesarean section wound infection happens when the wound becomes infected with bacteria. The most common cause of caesarean section wound infection is Staphylococcus aureus. Infection typically starts 4–7 days after the caesarean section.
Types of caesarean wound infection
The following types of caesarean section wound infections are brought on by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria:
- Impetigo: These are fluid-filled blisters that are painful and itchy.
- Abscess: It is a painful condition marked by pus- and dead-cell-filled bubbles.
- Cellulitis is an inflammation of the top layer of skin that immediately follows an infection. It is painful, raises body temperature, and causes skin to become red and swollen. Symptoms typically start to show up within 28 hours of the onset of the infection.
Symptoms of caesarean wound infection
The following are the most significant of these symptoms, which vary in severity depending on the type and severity of the inflammation, and which the woman should check the wound for each day:
- High fever (above 38°C).
- redness of the skin
- Swelling along or near the wound.
- Skin tenderness.
- Feeling of severe pain.
- Pus and the appearance of secretions.
- scleroderma
- severe abdominal pain
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge .
- Heavy bleeding and large blood clots.
- Pain when urinating.
Risk factors that increase the chance of developing a cesarean wound infection
The following are some factors that may raise the risk of an infection in a caesarean wound:
- smoking.
- Having gestational diabetes .
- Obesity.
- Use of corticosteroids.
- Poor health care provided to women before childbirth.
- Twin pregnancy.
- Having previous abortions.
- Previous cesarean delivery.
- Chorioamnionitis.
- Premature rupture of membranes.
- Bleed a large amount of blood.
- Not using antibiotics as a precaution.
- The Caesarean wound is long and deep.
Diagnosis and treatment of caesarean section wound infection
If an infection develops, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms in order to determine whether a bacterial infection is present in the wound and how severe it is.
Also, a sample is taken from the wound and sent for analysis in the laboratory to find out the type of microbe that causes the infection and thus help the doctor prescribe the appropriate treatment for the condition. A caesarean section wound infection is typically treated with antibiotics.
Methods of prevention of cesarean wound infection
Here are some recommendations that could lessen the likelihood of a caesarean wound infection:
- Wash the wound with soap and warm water to keep it sterile and clean.
- Stick to taking the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
- Change the wound dressings frequently.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid exposing the wound to any pressure.
- Don't wear tight clothes.
- Do not apply body lotion to the wound area.
- Don't carry heavy things.
- Avoid swimming in hot tubs or swimming pools.
- Stay away from smoking .
Complications of caesarean section wound infection
Complications may result from the infection, including the following:
- Endocarditis: This occurs when the infection spreads to the heart valves.
- Osteomyelitis: Infection spreads to the bones.
- Bacteremia: Infection in the bloodstream.