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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Illustration
Salpingitis
What is salpingitis?
Salpingitis is an inflammation of the fallopian tube(s).
The fallopian tubes are the connection between the ovaries
and the uterus. When an egg is released from one of the
ovaries, it travels down a fallopian tube to the uterus.
Salpingitis may also be called pelvic inflammatory disease
(PID). PID is a general term for an infection of any of the
pelvic organs (including the fallopian tubes).
How does it occur?
Salpingitis is caused by a bacterial infection that spreads
into the fallopian tube(s) from the vagina, cervix (opening
to the uterus), or uterus. The infection is often sexually
transmitted. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are
infections that can be passed from one partner to another
during sex, or by contact with the genitals, mouth, or
rectal area of an infected person.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of salpingitis include:
- pain in the lower abdomen, especially when you move or
walking
- pain during a vaginal exam
- fever
- need to urinate frequently.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose salpingitis, your health care provider may take
blood to check your white blood cell count. He or she will
also take a sample of cells by inserting a swab into the
vagina and brushing the swab against the wall of the cervix
(the opening to the uterus). Lab tests of the sample will
show what type of bacteria is causing the infection.
A laparoscopy may be done to examine your abdomen. This
procedure is done under general anesthesia and may require
an overnight stay in the hospital.
How is it treated?
Treatment includes bed rest for you and antibiotic therapy
for you and your sexual partner(s) to prevent spread as well
as recurrence. You may need to stay in the hospital for IV
antibiotic treatment. Pain medication may be prescribed.
You should drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juices,
and tea.
You may need surgery to remove the damaged tube(s) or if
you develop a pelvic abscess.
How can I take care of myself?
Follow these guidelines:
- Avoid sexual intercourse until cultures come back
negative, indicating you can no longer spread the
disease.
- Ask your sexual partner(s) to be treated for infection.
- If it is necessary to apply a topical cream to the
genital area, use disposable gloves to prevent spread of
the infection.
- Know the side effects of any medication you are taking.
- Use pads instead of tampons, and change them frequently.
- Wipe from front to back after using the toilet.
- Avoid using douches, perfumed soaps, sprays, and feminine
hygiene deodorants, which may be irritating to sensitive
tissues.
- Use a hair dryer on low setting to dry your genital area
if towel drying is uncomfortable.
- Wear loose clothing.
- Put a heating pad on your abdomen to relieve cramping or
pain. Use a low heat setting. Be careful not to burn
yourself.
- If you are taking tetracycline or a similar medicine such
as doxycycline, avoid having milk products within 2 hours
of the medication. Also, you may sunburn more easily or
develop a rash while you are taking this medication.
What can be done to help prevent salpingitis?
Because this infection is caused by organisms that can be
passed from one person to another sexually, it can be
prevented by careful sexual practices:
- Be honest with partner(s) about diseases you are being
treated for or have been exposed to.
- Avoid intercourse during an acute infection.
- Use latex condoms during sexual intercourse.
- Stop oral sex if safety is questionable.
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