Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: (P.I.D.) presents with lower abdominal pain, low back pain, fever, nausea, vomiting and a vaginal discharge. Pain and fever become gradually worse if infection is not treated. Infection develops in the uterus and in the fallopian tubes. This can be often caused by the bacteria of gonorrhea or Chlamydia. These are both sexually transmitted diseases and both partners need to be treated. Long term complications of P.I.D. are chronic lower abdominal and low back pain, infertility (inability to become pregnant) and eptopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy).
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES: Use condoms when having intercourse. Patients with GC or Chlamydia will have a yellow discharge and a burning pain with urination. If you have GC or Chlamydia get treated properly and insure your partner is treated before resuming intercourse.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Pelvic infections often present with lower abdominal pain, low back pain, yellow discharge with a foul odor, fever, nausea and vomiting. Pain gradually increase with time and is worse with walking and coughing.
CAUSES: P.I.D. is caused by bacteria. The bacteria most commonly involved are gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Other bacteria may also cause P.I.D. Culture should be obtained during pelvic exam to determine which bacteria are causing the infection.
COMPLICATIONS; Untreated P.I.D. or frequent episodes of P.I.D. may cause chronicpelvic or lower abdominal pain, low back pain, infertility and the risk of eptopic pregnancy. Chronic infection causes scarring of the fallopian tubes, preventing them from remaining open and the ovum cannot progress to the uterus. Acute complications involve an abscess around the ovaries and abscess formation around the liver. For severe episodes of P.I.D. and abscess formation, admission to the hospital and administration of I.V. antibiotics is required.
TREATMENT: If the P.I.D. infection is not severe it can be treated with a shot of antibiotics and oral antibiotics for 2 weeks. The partner must also be treated. If infection is severe, hospitalization is required with I.V. antibiotics. Intercourse should be avoided until both partners are completely treated. GC and Chlamydia infections must be reported to the State Health Department. All sexual partners must be traced to prevent the spread of these infections.
