Many of the symptoms of a uterus infection are the same as with most infections. They include fever, sweating, and shivering. Other symptoms include vaginal bleeding with foul-smelling discharge or pus, pain in the abdomen, an uncharacteristically fast pulse, and a uterus that is sensitive to touch. This kind of infection can be caused by bacteria that the woman is already carrying, but is usually the result of a hospital procedure such as a caesarean section or other birth-related issues. It can also be caused by sexually-transmitted diseases.
There are several other conditions that can indicate the presence of a uterus infection. Cessation of menstruation or light, sporadic flow can indicate the condition. If a woman has had multiple miscarriages or difficulty conceiving, an infection could be the cause.
A uterine infection can also be detected by the development of conditions such as Asherman’s syndrome, endometritis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Asherman’s syndrome is caused by scar tissue that grows in the uterus after surgery, such as with a caesarean section. Endometritis is irritation and inflammation of endometrium, which is also know as the uterine lining, caused by infection. Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection that travels to the uterus via the vagina and fallopian tubes. It is usually the result of venereal diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Most uterine infections are caused by foreign matter in the uterus. This is often the result of pieces of placenta remaining in the area after childbirth. It can also be caused by irritation in the uterus due to medical procedures.
There are two primary kinds of uterus infection, early onset and late onset. If a woman has developed an infection due to a hospital stay, it will usually present itself within a few days. In rare cases, the matter in the uterus may take longer to break down and the infection will take several weeks to develop.
It is important to treat a uterus infection quickly, before it spreads to the fallopian tubes and bloodstream. If the infection travels to the blood, a potentially fatal condition known as sepsis can develop. Typically, antibiotics are prescribed to kill the bacteria that result from the infection. If the woman is still in the hospital, she may be given stronger drugs in order to aggressively fight the infection before she is released. Severe infections that develop after release usually require re-hospitalization.
