Sepsis in Children

 Written by: Muhammad Nasir Sirat

Sepsis (Blood infection) is a condition that could affect anyone, at any time. However, children, especially newborns, are vulnerable to this disease, because of their low immunity levels. AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people and physicians about this disease.

Muhibullah, a resident of Qarabagh district, Kabul province says: “My blood was infected and I was suffering from fever, body ache and severe headache and I had lost my appetite to eat.”

A mother from Kabul city says: “I had delivered twins. One of them had vomiting and diarrhea. I take her to the hospital for treatment but she died. My second baby is also in bad health condition and she has the same problems. The doctor diagnosed her blood infection.”

Doctor Ajmal Safi, an internist at Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital, Kabul city says: “The symptoms of sepsis in children are vomiting, change in heart rate, chills, pale skin, and trouble in breathing, nausea, and difficulty in passing urine. However, when these symptoms are presenting along with high fevers, they should be taken to the hospital for treatment otherwise, the disease might cause the death of the patient.”

What do people think about the causes of this disease?

Meena, a fourth-grade student, a resident of Kunduz city says: “My blood is infected and I think, eating contaminated fruits and contaminated foods caused me this disease.”

Sardar, a resident of Parwan province says: “When someone eats contaminated food or contaminated water and he/she does not pay attention to his/her cleanliness, his/her blood might infect.”

 Doctor Safi says: “Although bacteria are the most common cause for blood infections, viruses or fungi can also enter the bloodstream through eating or drinking contaminated food, contaminated fruits or contaminated water.”

How do people treat children blood infection at homes?

A mother, Maryam says: “My baby’s blood is infected and I put a soaked cloth on her forehead to reduce her fever and I prepare him soft foods and give him more liquids.”

Some other people have the same idea about home treatment of children’s blood infection.

Doctor Abdul Sabour, an internist at the mentioned hospital says: “to reduce the fever of the children of blood infection, the mothers should put a piece of wet cloth on the forehead of the patient and they should give them more liquids and soft foods till taking them to the doctor or hospital for essential treatment.”