Puerperal fever, which can occur in women who have just given birth, is commonly known as "albastı" or "alkarisı." This condition manifests itself with symptoms such as high fever, fatigue, and pain. Also known as postpartum infection, this condition can have serious consequences if left untreated. It is crucial to maintain hygiene during delivery and diagnose the condition early.

Puerperal fever, which affects women in the days following childbirth, can rapidly cause acute symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, fever, and fatigue. This condition, which occurs in women who have recently given birth or have had a miscarriage, can be fatal if left untreated. It occurs when urinary tract infections and fever occur as a result of neglecting hygiene measures during childbirth.

Postpartum infection, a leading cause of maternal death in the past, is now under control. Antibiotic treatment has been effective in reducing the frequency and severity of postpartum fever. Therefore, monitoring and treatment of postpartum infections such as postpartum fever are important.

Causes and risk factors of puerperal fever

Postpartum infections usually occur as a result of poor hygiene during childbirth or the postpartum period. However, certain conditions can also cause postpartum fever:

• Bacterial infections in the endometrium within the uterus: Infections in the endometrium, where the placenta anchors itself during the nine months of pregnancy, can lead to postpartum fever. This condition typically presents with symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, uterine distension and pain, persistent bleeding, and foul-smelling discharge, in addition to fever. Only 15% of cases worldwide are diagnosed late.
• Severe illnesses during pregnancy or childbirth: Severe illnesses such as pneumonia, tonsillitis and flu can cause puerperal fever during pregnancy or childbirth.
• Interventions performed during labor: The incision made in the last part of the birth canal (episiotomy) during vaginal births to prevent tears and expedite labor, or the abdominal incision made during a Caesarean section, can initiate infection. This can occur within the first seven days after surgery and can have serious consequences if left untreated.
• Breastfeeding-Related Infections: Puerperal fever can also develop due to breast infections during breastfeeding. This infection usually occurs 2-3 weeks after the start of breastfeeding and is usually caused by microorganisms in the baby's mouth.

For these reasons, it is important to pay attention to hygienic measures during the postpartum period and to treat possible signs of infection immediately.

Signs and symptoms of puerperal fever

The most obvious symptom of postpartum fever in the postpartum period is a high fever. However, other symptoms of postpartum fever also occur in women who have just given birth:

• General feeling of weakness and exhaustion.
• Significant pallor of the skin.
• Constant cold sweats.
• Shivering due to fever.
• Tachycardia (fast heartbeat) due to heart rhythm disturbance.
• Headache, backache and throat pain.
• Abundant and foul-smelling vaginal secretions called lochia, specific to the puerperal period.
• Abdominal pain or tenderness in the uterine area.

It's important to measure your body temperature to determine if you have a high fever. Your body temperature should be 38 degrees Celsius or higher, measured at least twice, at least 12 hours apart. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to consult a healthcare professional and have your condition evaluated.

Recommendations to reduce the risk of postpartum fever

It's important for expectant mothers to be informed about postpartum fever. The following steps can help prevent postpartum fever:

• Choosing the hospital where you'll give birth: It's important that the hospital maintains high standards of hygiene. Consideration should be given to its physical infrastructure and availability of specialist physicians.
• Regular vaginal examination during pregnancy: Regular vaginal examinations should be performed throughout pregnancy and care should be taken regarding hygiene.
• Avoidance of sexual intercourse or hygienic measures: It is recommended to avoid sexual intercourse during the final months of pregnancy. However, if sexual intercourse does occur, hygienic measures should be observed.
• Balanced diet: A regular and balanced diet during pregnancy can strengthen the immune system and protect against infections.
• Hand hygiene: Frequent hand washing or cleaning with antiseptic solutions in the postpartum period can reduce the risk of infection.
• Clean environment: It's important to keep the environment where mother and baby are located clean during the postpartum period. It's important to change sheets, clothing, and hygiene products regularly.

Following these recommendations can help reduce the risk of postpartum fever and protect the health of mother and baby.

Treatment of postpartum fever

Early intervention is crucial for mothers who remain hospitalized when symptoms appear within the first 24 hours after birth. The positive effects of antibiotics used to treat infectious diseases are generally seen quickly. For postpartum fever, appropriate antibiotics are administered under the supervision of a specialist to reduce the level of infection in the body. Antibiotic treatment is generally limited to 7-10 days and is determined by the type of bacteria causing the infection.

Maintaining good hygiene in the postpartum period is also important. The external genital area should be washed and disinfected at least two or three times a day. In the most severe cases of infection, mothers may require hospitalization.

It's important to maintain the health of both mother and baby during treatment and follow your doctor's instructions. Furthermore, regular checkups and consistent use of recommended medications will help ensure successful treatment for postpartum fever.

Postpartum fever and herbal treatment

There is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of herbal treatments for a serious health condition like postpartum fever. In particular, there is no proven evidence that herbs such as yarrow, yellow clover, and lady's mantle have any effect in treating postpartum fever.

Because postpartum fever is an infectious disease, early antibiotic treatment under the supervision of a specialist is necessary. Therefore, herbal remedies are not recommended for the treatment of serious conditions such as postpartum fever.

Antibiotic treatment recommended by a specialist can quickly reduce the effects of postpartum fever and help prevent serious complications. Therefore, for health problems such as postpartum fever, the guidance and treatment of a specialist should be paramount.

Applications that are good for postpartum fever

During the treatment process, women can benefit from maintaining good personal hygiene and resting regularly, which can help reduce the negative effects of postpartum fever. However, some common superstitions don't offer a solution. For example, the effectiveness of practices such as tying ribbons or administering syrup to the mother in treating postpartum fever has not been scientifically proven.

Some truly effective apps include:

• Personal hygiene: Practicing good hygiene during the postpartum period can reduce the risk of infection. This includes regular showers, wearing clean clothes, and maintaining genital hygiene.
• Rest and good nutrition: Rest and a balanced diet can support the body's recovery process during the postpartum period. Adequate sleep, stress reduction, and a healthy diet are important in this process.
• Following your doctor's recommendations: Once you've been diagnosed with postpartum fever or notice symptoms, it's important to regularly take the antibiotic treatment prescribed by your doctor. Your specialist's guidance and treatment should be your primary consideration.

When faced with a serious health problem such as postpartum fever, it is important to follow the advice of a healthcare professional and follow scientifically proven treatment methods.

Why does puerperal fever cause fever and chills?

Infectious diseases, such as puerperal fever, can affect the body's temperature regulation center, causing fever. These diseases are often triggered by bacteria, parasites, and especially viruses. The body activates immune responses to fight the infection, which in turn causes fever.

Another symptom that accompanies fever is chills. This is a response to a rise in body temperature above normal, causing the body to shiver to maintain its temperature. Chills are caused by rapid muscle contractions to increase body temperature.

Therefore, fever and chills are common symptoms of infectious diseases like postpartum fever. These symptoms are a sign that the body is fighting the infection and usually indicate a condition that needs to be treated.