Patient education: Pelvic inflammatory disease – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED for pelvic inflammatory disease ("PID"). This is an infection that affects the reproductive system. It is most commonly caused by infections that are spread through sex, called sexually transmitted infections ("STIs"). Chlamydia and gonorrhea are 2 of the most common STIs that lead to PID.

PID can cause ongoing (or "chronic") pain in the lower belly. Without treatment, it can also cause scars to form on the fallopian tubes. This can make it hard to get pregnant or cause problems if you do get pregnant.

The doctors gave you antibiotics to treat the infection. It is very important to take all the antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●Take all your medicines as instructed.

●Follow the doctor's instructions about having your sex partners checked for STIs and treated if necessary.

●Make sure you and your partners are completely free from infection before having sex again. If your sex partners are not treated, they can infect you again.

●Get tested for STIs often.

●Use a latex condom every time you have sex to protect you and your partners from infection.

●Avoid sharing sex toys with different sex partners. If you do share, wash each toy or cover it with a condom before use.

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

•You have sudden severe belly pain.

•Your belly gets very hard or swollen.

•You have a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher, or chills.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●Your symptoms do not improve after a few days of treatment.

●You have any of these symptoms after finishing treatment:

•Burning or pain when urinating

•Fluid leaking from your vagina (called "discharge")

•A foul smell coming from your genitals

•Pain during sex

•Vaginal or rectal itching

•Rectal discharge or bleeding

•Blisters, warts, rashes, or sores on your mouth, lips, or genitals

●You have new or worsening symptoms.

More on this topic

Patient education: Pelvic inflammatory disease (The Basics)
Patient education: Chlamydia and gonorrhea (The Basics)

Patient education: Chlamydia (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Gonorrhea (Beyond the Basics)