During her pregnancy, a women's obstetrician is constantly monitoring the health of both of the pregnant women and her fetus for any signs or symptoms that might indicate sepsis. It may be acquired prior to birth (intrauterine sepsis) or after birth (extrauterine sepsis). Neonatal Sepsis (Sepsis Neonatorum) Swine Flu FAQ Slideshow Medical Author. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Neonatal sepsis is any infection involving an infant during the first 28 days of life.

Women are screened for infectious diseases at their first OB office visit. Prior to birth, many indicators can signal that a potential infection is developing. Viral (such as herpes, rubella [German measles]), bacterial (such as group B strep) and more rarely fungal (such as Candida) causes may be implicated. Neonatal sepsis is also known as "sepsis neonatorum." The infection may involve the infant globally or may be limited to just one organ (such as the lungs with pneumonia).

Some of these include HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, Chlamydia, and hepatitis B, as well as immunity to rubella.