puerperal fever
[ˌpjuːərˈpɛrəl ˈfiːvər]
nounpl: puerperal fevers
febre puerperal
1. A bacterial infection that occurs in women after childbirth, characterized by fever, inflammation, and sometimes sepsis
In the 19th century, puerperal fever was a leading cause of maternal mortality in hospitals.
No século XIX, a febre puerperal era uma das principais causas de morte materna nos hospitais.
2. Postpartum fever resulting from infection of the uterus, placental site, or surrounding tissues
The introduction of antiseptic procedures dramatically reduced cases of puerperal fever.
A introdução de procedimentos antissépticos reduziu drasticamente os casos de febre puerperal.
Puerperal fever holds significant historical importance in both Brazilian and American medicine. In the USA, it was famously studied by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes and Ignaz Semmelweis, whose work on antiseptic practices revolutionized obstetrical care. In Brazil, awareness of this condition became crucial during the modernization of healthcare systems. The term is now primarily used in medical and historical contexts, as modern sanitation and antibiotics have made such infections rare in developed countries.
Related Idioms & Phrases
childbed fever - historical synonym
hospital fever - outdated term sometimes used to describe puerperal fever in hospital settings
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