Sepsis Discharge Instructions, Child

About this topic

Sepsis is a widespread bloodstream infection. Germs may enter your childs blood through a cut or open wound. Germs may also enter the blood when your child has a medical or dental procedure. Most often, your child's body is able to fight off these germs. Sometimes, the body is not able to. Then, the germs attack the body's organs and tissues. ‚
This kind of serious infection may cause swelling and blood clotting. It needs to be treated right away. Drugs given through a vein are used to treat sepsis. Your child may need to be in the hospital, depending on how sick your child is. ‚

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What care is needed at home?

Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
Give all your childs drugs as ordered, even if your child is feeling better.
Make sure your child gets lots of rest. Your child should sleep when feeling tired and avoid tiring activities.
Clean items and surfaces you most often touch like door handles, remotes, phones, and toys. Wipe them with a disinfectant. This can help reduce the spread of infection.
Keep your child away from people who are sick. Stay away from crowded places until your child has fully recovered.
Teach your child to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs. Teach your child to sing the Happy Birthday song or the ABCs while washing hands.
Tell other people to wash their hands before they come near your child.
If your child is sick, make sure your child covers the mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing. Your child can also cough into the elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your and your child's hands after touching used tissues.
Teach your child to keep hands away from their eyes and nose. Germs can enter these body areas easily.
Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick.
Do not allow anyone to smoke around your child.
Have your child get a flu shot each year.

What follow-up care is needed?

The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚

What drugs may be needed?

The doctor may order drugs to: ‚

Fight an infection

Will physical activity be limited?

Your child may do light activities. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for your child. ‚

What changes to diet are needed?

Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids. ‚

What problems could happen?

Loss of fluids
Lung problems
Kidney damage
Heart problems
Brain problems

What can be done to prevent this health problem?

Make sure your child get all of the shots recommended by the doctor.
Treat your childs infection right away.
Teach your child not to touch wounds or open cuts.
Teach your child to wash hands:
- Before and after wound care
- After going to the bathroom
- Before eating
- Anytime they are dirty
Give your child a healthy diet. This will improve the body's defense system.

When do I need to call the doctor?

Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or a wound that will not heal.
Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
Other signs, such as change in the sound of your babys cry or crying too much; muscles become stiff or soft; bulging or fullness of the soft spot on your baby's head; if you feel your child is lethargic, irritable, or confused; if your child has a faster or slower pulse; or passing less urine.
Your child is not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or is feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand

The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚

I can tell you about my childs condition.
I can tell you what I will do to keep my child from getting sick.
I can tell you how and when to wash my hands and my child's hands to avoid passing the infection to others.
I can tell you what I will do if my child has a fever, chills, or is crying too much.

Where can I learn more?

KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/newborn_health_conditions/sepsis.html# ‚
National Institute of General Medical Sciences ‚
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/factsheet_sepsis.htm ‚

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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