Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that starts in the uterus and moves into one or both of the fallopian tubes (which connect the uterus to the ovaries). The ovaries may become infected, and the infection may spread into the abdomen.

A doctor must check you to see if you have PID for sure.

What are the symptoms?

If you have PID, you may:

• have lower stomach pain
• have thick, creamy, yellow or clear vaginal discharge
• have bleeding or spotting between periods
• have heavier menstrual periods
• have a fever
• have chills
• have pain during sex
• have pain or burning when you go to the bathroom.

What causes PID?

Pelvic inflammatory disease can be caused by many different organisms. It is most often caused by chlamydia and gonorrhea bacteria.

How long will the effects last?

A PID infection starts at the opening of the uterus (cervix) and moves upward through the whole reproductive system and may even spread to the abdomen. It is a very serious infection because it increases your risk of tubal pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). You also have a risk not being able to have children. Women who have PID once have a greater risk of getting it again.

The outcome of PID depends on:

• The length of time you have been infected.
• How much the infection has spread into your body.
• Whether you get proper treatment.
• The number of previous PID infections you have had.

What is the treatment?

1. Antibiotics

   PID can be an extremely serious infection and you often must stay in the hospital. If you do not have to stay in the hospital, it is very important that you take all of the medicine your doctor prescribes.

2. Contacts

   Tell everyone with whom you have had sex with in the last 3 months about your infection. They must also be treated, even if they have no symptoms. Do not have sex until both you and your partner have finished all the medication.

3. Follow-up

   You must see your doctor again 2 to 3 days after you start your medication. Your doctor will check you to make sure the medicine has the infection under control. You also need to be checked 1 week after finishing all the medication to make sure that the infection is gone.

4. Prevention

   Because PID is caused by sexually transmitted bacteria, there are ways you can protect yourself and prevent the spread of these bacteria. Not having sexual intercourse (abstinence) is the best method of prevention. Use of condoms is the next best method. In addition, you are less likely to get a sexually transmitted disease if you have just one sexual partner.

Call Your Doctor Immediately If:

• Your pain gets worse.
• You vomit and cannot hold the medication down.
• You develop a fever over 101ƒF (38.4ƒC).
• You feel you are getting sicker.

Call Your Doctor During Office Hours If:

• You have other questions or concerns.