Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Medications

Because samples of the bacteria from the upper genital tract are difficult to obtain and because many different organisms may be responsible for PID, especially if it is not the person's first occurrence, the doctor will usually prescribe at least two antibiotics at the same time that are effective against a wide range of infectious bacteria. The CDC recommends that all antibiotic treatments should be effective against N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis. The CDC lists several choices of antibiotics to use (for example, cefotetan (Cefotan, Apatef), 2 g IV every 12 hour plus doxycycline (Vibramycin, Monodox), 100 mg orally or IV every 12 hours). The duration of treatments vary according to the extent of the disease; the caregivers usually determine the length of treatments for each individual.

The doctor may provide IV antibiotics at the office, by a visiting nurse, or in a clinic. Emergency department doctors may also provide oral and IV antibiotic treatment. Depending on the severity of the particular case of PID, a doctor may also choose to admit the person for hospital treatment.

• If the patient is pregnant, it is likely they are going to be admitted into the hospital. If the doctor is unsure that the person has PID, a gynecologist will be consulted. If the doctor cannot rule out appendicitis or another surgical emergency, a surgeon may be consulted. Likewise, if the person is found to have an abscess (tubo-ovarian abscess), they will be admitted to the hospital.
  
  
• If the person is not admitted to the hospital and does not improve within 72 hours of starting treatment, then the patient should be reevaluated. Such patients may be given IV antibiotics and be admitted to the hospital.