Question
A newborn baby diagnosed with neonatal pneumonia, who has been hospitalized for several days, still has a persistent high fever. How should it be treated?
Answer
This condition may involve sepsis, which is an acute systemic infection caused by pathogenic bacteria or opportunistic pathogens entering the bloodstream and reproducing, producing toxins. If the bacteria are cleared by the human immune system without obvious sepsis symptoms, it is called bacteremia. Sepsis accompanied by multiple abscesses and a longer course of illness is known as septicemia. Be vigilant about the possibility of purulent meningitis caused by sepsis and consult with the attending physician. Regional cleaning with sodium bicarbonate solution should be avoided and antibiotics should only be used under the guidance of a doctor.