Pelvic inflammatory disease

Prescribing Notes:

• Refer to important safety information for all quinolones prior to prescribing.
• The commonest cause of pelvic inflammatory disease is Chlamydia. Co-amoxiclav has poor activity against chlamydia and is therefore inappropriate as monotherapy for the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease.
• If infection with gonorrhoea is suspected (partner has it, sex abroad, severe symptoms) the patient should be referred to Sexual Health Services for ceftriaxone regimen.
• With any genital symptoms always consider the possibility of sexually transmitted infection (STI). People with risk factors should be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis. Refer the individual and partners to sexual health service. Risk factors: younger patient, a new sexual partner or more than one sexual partner in the past year, lack of consistent condom use and a contact of a sexually transmitted infection.