$Unique_ID{BRK00130}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Does the Diagnosis of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Involve?}
$Subject{PID diagnosis causes Infections Infection Genitourinary lifestyle
lifestyles Pelvic Inflammatory Disease IUD gonococci Chlamydia sexual
intercourse sexually transmitted diseases std venereal vd endometrium ovaries
fallopian tubes tube abdominal pain menstruation cervical tenderness discharge
gonococcus urethra multiple microbial bacteria Penicillin ampicillin
tetracycline}
$Volume{A-14, J-23}
$Log{
Risk Factors of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease*0007901.scf
Pathways of Infection of PID*0007902.scf
Complications of PID I*0008001.scf
Complications of PID II*0008002.scf
Complications of PID III*0008003.scf
Diseases of the Female Reproductive System*0009001.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Does the Diagnosis of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Involve?


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QUESTION:  Can you tell me what the diagnosis of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
involves?

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ANSWER:  Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an extremely painful and
potentially sterilizing condition, must be diagnosed and treated as promptly
as possible.  Acute PID most frequently occurs in women under 25 years of age
who are sexually active with multiple partners.  The IUD contraceptive device
has been associated with PID, but the disease is more often linked to
organisms such as gonococci and Chlamydia that are transmitted through sexual
intercourse.  The disease can involve the endometrium, ovaries, fallopian
tubes, and any adjacent organs and extensions of them.
     Symptoms of the disease include lower abdominal pain during or after
menstruation, cervical tenderness and discharge, and increased pelvic heat
compared with other parts of the body.  Inflammation of the endometrium often
occurs and abdominal tenderness and distension frequently are present.  A
severe infection is indicated by fever up to 103 degrees F, a rapid pulse,
and, in some instances, abnormal uterine bleeding and frequent urination.
     Identifying the culprit germ can involve cultures of tubal fluid, though
treatment is often initiated before receiving culture results.  If gonococcus
is involved, Gram stains taken from the cervix and urethra may help identify
the organism, and in severe cases or when the patient's abdominal pain is
difficult to evaluate, a look inside using the laparoscope may be the best way
to go.  Many cases of PID are caused by infections by more than one type of
germ (multiple microbial infections) and must be treated accordingly.
     The first line of treatment is antibiotic therapy, which may be difficult
to devise when there is more than one bacteria causing the problem.
Penicillin, ampicillin, and tetracycline are the most frequently prescribed.
PID is a serious infection, causing complications that may require
hospitalization, so early detection and treatment is imperative.  Patient
education is a vital precaution and when the condition does occur, treating
sexual partners is a must to prevent the disease from being transmitted a
second time.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.