Question
My baby was born recently, just 2 days old, and has developed an empyema since a day ago. There are obvious ulcerations in the mouth area with some signs of suppuration. She is currently being breastfed, and yellow secretions are flowing from her mouth. I am very worried, how should neonatal empyema be treated?
Answer
Neonatal empyema is caused by infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Treatment for this condition requires the use of antibiotics to control the infection. Options include penicillin or cephalosporins. Treatment should continue for at least 10-14 days after infection. These antibiotics should have some effect on the pathogen. In cases of high infection severity, isolation treatment may be necessary. The risk of disease re-transmission is still relatively high. It is recommended to consult a larger hospital for further examination.