Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection in the female reproductive organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries). If a woman has sexual contact with a person who has a sexually transmitted disease (STD), (see sheet on STD) she is at risk of getting infected. If left untreated PID may follow. Sometimes women get PID without contact with chlamydia or gonorrhea. The reason is not known.

PID can also happen after:

• An abortion
• a D and C
• Being treated for an abnormal Pap smear
• Any time there is a chance of bacteria entering the female reproductive organs, there is a risk of getting PID. The risks are the same as for getting a STD. They are:

• Having many different sex partners

• Unsafe sexual habits like not using a condom. Using a condom can greatly reduce your risk of infection.

• Both men and women can be carriers of a STD and not have any symptoms.

Home Treatment:

• Take your antibiotics exactly as the directions say, even if you start to feel better.

Return to the Emergency Department IF:

• You have increased pain.
• You have a fever and/or chills longer than 12 hours that is higher than 38.5C, unrelieved by acetaminophen.
• You do not feel any better or feel worse after 48 hours.