Which are common symptoms of puerperal infection?

• A. Fever, malaise, uterine tenderness, foul lochia
• B. Hypertension, edema
• C. Jaundice, pruritus
• D. Headache, dizziness

Answer: (A)

Puerperal infection, most often endometritis, presents after childbirth with a combination of systemic and uterine-specific signs. The classic cluster is fever, malaise, uterine tenderness, and foul-smelling lochia. Fever reflects the body’s inflammatory response to infection; uterine tenderness indicates inflammation of the uterus; foul lochia signals purulent discharge from the infected uterus. Together these findings point to an infectious process in the uterus during the postpartum period. Risk factors include cesarean birth and prolonged rupture of membranes, which help explain why vigilance for these symptoms is important after delivery.

The other symptom clusters align with different postpartum conditions: hypertension with edema suggests preeclampsia; jaundice with pruritus points to liver or bile problems; headache with dizziness can be nonspecific or related to other postpartum changes, not specifically infection. When the classic signs are present, prompt assessment and treatment with antibiotics and supportive care are indicated to prevent complications.