Your Guide

What is this and how can I get treated? A pelvic inflammatory disease, called PID is an acute inflammation of the upper genital tract including the Uterus, Fallopian tubes and/or Ovaries. Majority of the cases are caused by the commonly sexually transmitted pathogens: Commonly Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis Who’re those at Risk Factors of developing PID? • Poorly treated STDs (sexually transmitted diseases/infections) • Multiple sexual partners • Intercourse without a barrier contraceptive • Poor socio-economic conditions • Sex /drug exchange workers or users Many cases of Chlamydia infections go untreated and a very likely to cause infertility What symptoms and signs are my likely to experience? Many patients even without symptoms could be suffering a PID (Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease). Majority of them even go untreated. However, common symptoms and signs of PID include Fever (raised body temperature above 38oC or higher), Nausea, Vomiting, and severe pelvic or lower Abdominal pain. PID pain lasts less than 7 days as it is mostly an acute condition. Women can also experience abnormal vaginal discharge and unexpected vaginal bleeding especially after sexual intercourse. What complications can having PID on a long-term or untreated cause? Infertility Ectopic pregnancy Chronic pelvic pain How will I be tested? Usually a specimen of blood, urine and vaginal swabs is collected at the Clinic, Hospital or Laboratory and your Physician may choose to perform a number of tests such as a Complete blood count (CBC), STD real-time PCR ( e.g. VIASURE, Allplex ST17, etc), Urinalysis, and a Pelvic/Trans-vaginal Ultrasound Scan. What treatment & preventive measures can I take? After running the necessary tests to confirm that you may be having a PID, your Doctor would place you on Antibiotics (which are specific for the cause of your PID) and send you home. However, some patients who are either pregnant, or whose conditions are serious and may not have responded to oral antibiotics may be hospitalized for a few days and placed on intravenous treatment. Preventive measures include: Avoiding the risk factors mentioned above Protective sexual intercourse using a barrier contraceptive A routine Chlamydia screening is recommended in sexually active females aged 24 or younger and in older women at risk for infection. Also a routine Pap smear (a test done to look out for changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer) is recommended every 3 years in women ages 21-65 years. Plus a HPV (Human papillomavirus - a very common cause of STD) Screening every 5 years in women above age 30 years and above   To get treated or tested for STD, visit the closest the health center to you today!