The Similarities and Differences of Endometritis and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease in the adolescent and young adult: An update

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female upper genital tract that is typically polymicrobial with classic core involvement of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and/or Chlamydia trachomatis, though other endogenous flora from the vagino-cervical areas can be involved as well. It is often a sexually transmitted disease but other etiologic routes are also noted. A variety of risk factors have been identified including adolescence, young adulthood, adolescent cervical ectropion, multiple sexual partners, immature immune system, history of previous PID, risky contraceptive practices and others. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment are necessary to reduce risks of PID complications such as chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Current management principles of PID are also reviewed. It is important for clinicians to screen sexually active females for common sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis and provide safer sex education to their adolescent and young adult patients. Clinicians should provide comprehensive management to persons with PID and utilize established guidelines such as those from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Postcesarean infection

In 1998, 20.2% of the approximately 4 million births in the United States occurred via cesarean delivery. Routine antibiotic prophylaxis has significantly reduced morbidity, yet each year between 41,000 and 206,000 women develop a subsequent infection of the uterus or surgical incision. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiology and complex interaction of risk factors for metritis and wound infection is vital for perinatal nurses. Nurses have a critical role in the identification and treatment of postcesarean infection.