Duration | Blood poisoning in children

Duration

The duration of blood poisoning in a child can vary greatly depending on its severity, the pathogen causing the disease, and the start of treatment. If blood poisoning is not detected and treated in time, it can be fatal within hours to a few days. Usually the duration of antibiotic treatment for blood poisoning is 7 – 10 days. If there are signs of additional involvement and inflammation of the meninges, the therapy should last 2 – 3 weeks in view of the clinical symptoms. Overall, the duration also depends on the general condition of the child.

Therapy

The antibiotic intravenous therapy should be started as soon as possible at the first suspicion of blood poisoning. Since after treatment with an antibiotic, it is usually not possible to detect the pathogen causing the disease, samples such as blood, urine or even cerebral fluid should be taken before the start of therapy to test for bacteria. When choosing antibiotics, an initial therapy with a cephalosporin and ampicillin, or ampicillin in combination with an aminoglycoside, or, in case of additional involvement of the meninges, a triple combination of a cephalosporin, an aminoglycoside and ampicillin has proven to be effective.

With this therapy one tries to attack quickly and to fight a broad spectrum of bacteria (General information can be found here: antibiotics). After receiving a bacterial proof, the therapy can be adjusted individually. Regardless of the bacteria causing the disease, a sufficient supporting therapy with the administration of fluids and measures to stabilize the cardiovascular system should be carried out to alleviate further symptoms and improve the general condition of the sick children.

Blood poisoning after insect / wasp bite

Blood poisoning caused by an insect bite is relatively rare in children, but should never be underestimated, as any blood poisoning is associated with a potential danger to life. The inflammation of an insect – or wasp bite is caused by the affected children scratching the itchy and swollen bite site. This results in superficial scratches or small wounds at the bite site, which provide an entry point for bacteria and other germs.

As a result, swelling, redness and accumulation of pus develops and the inflammation can spread to the surrounding tissue and cause swelling of the adjacent lymph nodes. If the child’s immune system cannot sufficiently fight off the invading bacteria, they continue to multiply and, in the worst case, can spread via small vessels into the child’s blood system. Once the bacteria have reached the blood, the child’s body reacts to the inflammation with fever, an increased pulse and a change in breathing, and the symptoms of blood poisoning become visible.

At the slightest suspicion of blood poisoning after an insect or wasp sting, the sick child should be taken immediately to a children’s hospital for monitoring and further diagnosis. In addition to ensuring the bodily functions essential for survival, the main focus is then on detecting the pathogens in the blood in order to initiate suitable drug treatment as quickly as possible.