women s health issues
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Antibiotics If needed, drainage of an abscess As soon as possible, antibiotics for gonorrhea and chlamydia are usually given by mouth or by injection into a muscle. Prompt treatment is needed to prevent serious complications. If needed, the antibiotics are changed after test results are available. Most women are treated at home with antibiotics taken by mouth. However, hospitalization is usually necessary in the following situations: The infection does not lessen within 72 hours. The woman has severe symptoms or a high fever. The woman may be pregnant. An abscess is suspected. The woman is vomiting and thus cannot take antibiotics by mouth at home. Doctors cannot confirm the diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease and cannot rule out disorders that require surgery (such as appendicitis) as possible causes. In the hospital, antibiotics are given intravenously. Abscesses that persist despite treatment with antibiotics may be drained. Often, a needle can be used. It is inserted through a small incision in the skin, and an imaging test, such as ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT), is used to guide the needle into the abscess. A ruptured abscess requires emergency surgery. Women should refrain from sexual activity until antibiotic therapy is completed and a doctor confirms that the infection is completely eliminated, even if symptoms disappear. All recent sex partners should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia and, if needed, treated. If pelvic inflammatory disease is diagnosed and treated promptly, a full recovery is more likely. 