- Septic Sarah
Sarah developed septicaemia as a result of herwound.  Blood cultures at that time were positive forStreptococcus pneumoniae. She was hospitalised and wasimmediately treated with intravenous penicillin. Within two minutesof the injection, Sarah collapsed into unconsciousness with anirregular heart rate and a dramatic drop in blood pressure.
- Based on the information above, was this the first timethat Sarah was exposed to penicillin? Describe the physiologicalmechanism to support your answer.
- Name one drug that would you administer to Sarah as shecollapsed and provide its mechanism of action.
- After her full recovery, would you recommend that Sarahget vaccinated against S. pneumoniae? If so, which type ofpneumococcus vaccine would you recommend and why? If you wouldn’trecommend any pneumococcus vaccine, provide yourreasoning.
