Seriousness of STI/RTI Complications

Millions of men, women, and children all over the world are affected by the long-term complications of STIs and RTIs.

These infections can lead to numerous serious, long-term, and sometimes deadly complications, particularly in women. Some STIs/RTIs can also cause pregnancy-related complications or congenital infections. Unfortunately, symptoms and signs of many infections may not appear until it is too late to prevent serious consequences and damage to the reproductive organs.

In addition, the complications of STIs and RTIs affect even more than an individual’s health. The morbidity associated with them has a profoundly adverse effect on the quality of life and economic productivity of many women and men, their families, and, consequently, entire communities.

Some of the most common complications of STIs/RTIs include:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain
• Increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections
• Infertility, early labor and delivery, stillbirths, and spontaneous abortions
• Neurological, cardiovascular, and other systemic conditions
• Chronic pain and discomfort

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

PID is an infection of the internal reproductive organs in women, involving inflammation, irritation, and swelling of  the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes, ovaries, and surrounding pelvic tissues. PID is caused by STIs that have been left untreated (most commonly chlamydia and gonorrhea). Other types of bacteria may also play a role in the disease.

The primary symptom of PID is lower abdominal (pelvic) pain. In mild cases, women may have no symptoms or may have only slight cramping. In severe cases, the pain may be constant and very intense. Physical activity, and especially sexual intercourse, may greatly increase the pain.

Other symptoms of PID include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Abnormal and/or heavy vaginal bleeding
• Bleeding between periods
• Fever, chills
• Nausea, vomiting

PID, the most serious infection of the reproductive tract in women, can lead to infertility and chronic pelvic pain. PID can also place women at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes), which can lead to life-threatening complications. If a client who has PID is pregnant at the time of diagnosis, it may be necessary for her to receive treatment in a hospital. If she becomes pregnant after acquiring PID, it is important to make sure early on that the pregnancy is not ectopic.

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