Signs of Post Abortion Infection and Its Prevention

Q: I got an abortion done about a week ago. I am worried about the infection. How can I make sure there is no infection in my womb or any other body parts? When will my bleeding stop?
By: Dhana

Reply:
 
Bleeding after an abortion may last for 1-2 weeks. This bleeding is like a normal menstrual period and may be accompanied with some pain. It is also common to pass small blood clots with the bleed.

If however, the bleeding is very heavy, soaking 2 or more pads within an hour, you need to go to the doctor.

Avoiding Infection After an Abortion

Infections after abortions are not uncommon. You need to take care. Observe the following precautions:
  • Change your pad frequently. 
  • Keep yourself clean.
  • After defecation, wipe yourself from front to back always. This is to avoid contaminating the vaginal opening with the soiled tissue paper.
  • Avoid sex for at least 2 weeks.

Signs and Symptoms of Infection

You will come to know if you happen to catch any infection. Watch for any of these signs:
  • Discolored or smelly discharge from the vagina
  • Constant pain in abdomen
  • Fever
  • General feeling of being unwell
If you observe any of these signs, go to the doctor at the earliest. You may require some antibiotics.

Take Care,

Buddy M.D. 

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “How to Avoid Infection After Abortion and Its Symptoms?

  1. Rosie

    I was suffering from vaginal pain and then I started to have urge for urination frequently and I suffered from pain,burning too.I was not sure if I was pregnant but after missing my periods I took a test and it was positive after 2 days I took the abortion pill.After taking the second pill with in half an hour my periods started and my urge to urination decreased,nearly stopped.But now it’s the sixth day and I am still bleeding and suddenly my urge to urination started again with the pain and burning,I don’t know what’s going on.Can you please tell me if it’s an infection what medication should I take because I can’t go to the doctor for some reasons.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Very likely to be an infection. Antibiotics are prescription drugs, can’t be given here. You need to go to a doctor at the earliest.

      Also, it is possible that this was an incomplete abortion done by you. Needs to be checked.

      Reply
  2. neri

    I have a high infection on my urine after abortion. Did the abortion failed? I go to the hospital 3 days after the abortion. and doctor gave me antibiotics 2x a day for 1week. But till now I have a fever antibiotics almost done.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Difficult to say whether the abortion was completely done or not. If not, you’ll have pain in tummy and also some discharge from the vagina. An ultrasound would be required for diagnosis.

      If you don’t have any of those symptoms, may be you have a UTI. Take antibiotics as prescribed and drink plenty of water.

      Reply
      1. neri

        im still bleeding now but not that heavy and my tummy is ok. no pain. my problem is i have fever and not feeling well. almost 1week

        heres my test in blood and urine:

        hemoglobin: 83
        erythrocytes: 2.42
        hematocrit: 0.25
        leucocytes ct: 16.8
        platelet ct: 417

        segmenters: 0.83
        lymphocytes: 0.17

        urinalysis.
        color: yellow
        transparency: turbid
        albumin: trace
        p.h: 65
        sp. gravity 1.010
        RBC: 6-8
        PUS CELLS : more than 100
        E. cells: few
        bacteria: moderate

        Reply
  3. neri

    Please help, because I’m worried. If I go to the ob for ultrasound. If the ob will know I do a abortion?? Abortion last September 5. Thankyou in advance md.

    Reply
  4. bola

    I had an abortion few weeks back and then the blood flow didn’t stop so I went to the lab it was an unfinished abortion, I went back to complete it but now am feeling pains low my left tummy

    Reply
      1. ACERR

        Hi, I took abortion pill, after 4weeks I Had a fever, rash, and headache, what’s the meaning of this? Is this a infection? Or incomplete abortion?

        Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      May be the process of expulsion from the uterus is being completed. However, you need to be under medications. What medications are you taking right now? How was the abortion completed?

      Reply
      1. Nikita

        I did medical abortion three weeks back but I am still bleeding heavy and there is pain and even my urine stinks. What am I supposed to do? Please guide me

        Reply
  5. ACERR

    Hi, I took abortion pill, after 4weeks I Had a fever, rash, hard to breathe and headache what’s the meaning of this? Is this a infection? Or incomplete abortion?

    Reply
  6. Natasha

    I had a surgical abortion done on Friday afternoon and was givenan antibiotic before the procedure and two antibiotic pills to take after the procedure during the evening. I took them as prescribed. Sunday morning I have a fever of 100.8 and was told to take ibroprofun. The fever went to 99.9 after the ibroprofun and then 14 hours later the fever was gone. I have had cramps but none that are severe and a slight headache here and there. Today, Thursday the fever has not returned. My highest temperature since has been 99.8 briefly. I went from spotting to bright red bleeding with clots ranging in size but no larger than a quarter each. I am not bleeding heavily however. It is more of a light flow and never fills my pads which are changed every two or three hours for cleanliness. I am not longer having lower abdominal pain and it is not tender when pressed. I have developed a runny nose and am concerned I am getting a cold or something which may be making me feel run down but I am unsure how to distinguish between causes. The slight fever 36 hours after the procedure had concerned me but it had not lasted 24 hours and thus far hasn’t returned. I have my follow up appointment next Friday at the two week mark but am unsure if I should request it sooner.

    Thanks for your time!

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      You’re likely to be healing up well. It’s normal to have some fever, vaginal flow or cramps after surgical abortions. Importantly, these symptoms should get better with time.

      Your vaginal flow will tell you precisely that you’re getting better. It should lighten with time and clots would reduce. If at any point of time, you notice that the flow is increasing, becoming painful or foul smelling, you may need to see a gyne urgently.

      Reply
  7. Theresa

    Hi. I had an abortion 2 weeks ago. I was 15wks4days when I took the abortion pills. The Abortion was successful but 3days after I experienced a very sharp abdominal pain on my lower right back and front. I bought painkillers since I thought it was just period cramps probably. The painkillers were not helping and I went to the doctor, he said I am having UTI and gave me antibiotics and painkillers. I finished the antibiotics but no improvement. I went to the pharmacy because I did not have money to go to the doctor again. I was given antibiotics again there and given the antibiotic injection and the vitamin B. co injection. I have finished the treatment again but I am still having the pain. I am drinking a lot of water and passing a lot of urine but when I am urinating it’s painful and hard for it to come out. What could be the problem that the antibiotics are not helping me what is an alternative?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      You may need to go for a pelvic ultrasound.

      Any discharge from the vagina? Any burning, pain or itching down there or during urination?

      Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Can you describe the headache? Where is it located, over the forehead, back of head, one sided? Any nausea or vomiting associated? What time of the day does it affect most?

      Reply
  8. Rks

    Hi there

    I had a medical abortion 1 week ago, I developed a fever, migraines, stiff neck, muscle achiness throughout my whole body, dizziness and breathlessness and ocassional heart palpitations. Is this normal ?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Normal. These are likely to be the side effects of the pills you took for abortion. You’ll normalize within 2 to 3 days, as the effects of the pills wean off.

      Reply
  9. Mack

    I got my abortion yesterday. Im worried about infection..wat antibiotic should i take or medicine to prevent infection?

    Reply
  10. Claire

    I had surgical abortion on Fridays which is 3days back. Everything feels okay, minor sysmtoms , such as little blooding, feeling vomitting, had come and gone.
    However, I realise that I got some pus bumps near virgina entrance(?) which I had never had… Worrying about transmitted sexual disease. ..

    Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      May be due to instrumentation. Just keep the area down there clean. You may wash it thoroughly with betadiene (dilute solution) everyday.

      Reply
  11. Zwivhuya

    Hi I had medical abortion on the 16 of july 2018,bled for a week and four days now am releasing brown discharge but sometimes I feel like something is moving in my tummy… Am I still pregnant?? And I was 11 weeks pregnant.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It’s unlikely to be viable fetus at this stage. However, fetal remnants may be there. Do you have any pain in lower abdomen, fever, chills or any other disturbing symptom? Let us know.

      Reply
        1. Buddy M.D. Post author

          It’s unlikely to be any pathology. These movements may be uterine contractions, part of cleaning.

          However, you may opt for a follow up ultrasound, just to be sure, if you want.

          Reply
  12. Louise

    I had a medical abortion (abortion pill) just over 2 weeks ago, I have terrible backache today and feeling light headed for a couple of days now. The discharge has started to smell, it’s not terrible but it’s definitely different. Could it be an infection?

    Reply
  13. jenna

    i had a medical abortion a week and 1 day ago today oct. 5th , i was 4 or 5 weeks pregnant i only bled like 3 days full pad then 3 days spotted light pink with cramping all week and still cramping occasionally . before i found out i was pregnant i had no other symptom other than miss period cramping and back pain as well . now i feel i have more pregnancy symptoms after procedure i woke up 2 or 3 days ago with sore breast swollen fingers and stiffness and today i have been having the urge to urinate more often than i usually do can it be a uti ?

    Reply
      1. Buddy M.D. Post author

        You need to visit a doctor. It could be some infection. There are some chances that the abortion was not complete.

        Reply
  14. Cess

    Hi I take abortion pills September 25,I bleed for one week and spotting for 3 weeks I didn’t feel any pain and fever then Oct 31 I experience heavy bleeding and blood clots coming out.until now I have still a blood but not too much.it’s nearly 2 weeks on Oct 14,no foul smelling,no fever but if blood clots coming out I feel backache,and cramping,,.it is normal?or have infections?until when my blood finish?I’m worried because it’s nearly two weeks my blood.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Unlikely to be an infection. If you have any infection, you may feel any of the following symptoms- Fever, pain in lower abdomen, foul smelling discharge from vagina, burning down there etc.

      Your uterus is likely to be cleaning itself. This may take 2 to 3 cycles. That’s normal. Eat healthy to recover your nutrient loss by blood flow.

      Reply
  15. Victoria Vega

    I had a medical abortion 4 days ago. Everything had been fine but I am having to urinate more frequently. I am also constipated and have not had a bowel movement since the day I took the pills. I haven’t had a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Is it possible I have a uti? I have small shooting pains in my pelvis and my back has been hurting. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Any burning or pain while urination? If yes, this may be an infection.

      You’ll need to correct constipation. Add plenty dietary fibers to your diet or start with some stool softener on a daily basis, till the problem resolves.

      Reply
  16. mercy

    Had an Abortion ( surgical)on 7th of december .still bleeding lightly no pain though.Experiencing tender breast still,frequent peeing,vomiting ,nausea. Help.

    Reply
  17. Nikita

    Hi doctor I had medical abortion three weeks back but I am still bleeding like changing two pads in 7 hours and my abdomen pains, and my urine stinks. I was given tranostat to take three time for three days. What am I supposed to do please help me .

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      There is a possibility that the abortion was not complete. You need to seek medical help now.

      Any left over products of conception may have got infected in there. You’ll need prompt antibiotic treatment.

      Reply
  18. Hannah

    I had a surgical abortion on the 4th and a iud impanted the implant pushed itself out and when wiping i must have pulled the strings and it completely came out . i have been bleeding off and on since sometimes heavier sometimes lighter its about 5 days since the iud came out having tenderness in abdomen and anxiety about sepsis dont have a fever or feel ill. Can you possibly help is this normal the off and on bleeding and headaches as well as occassional sharp pains in uterus cervix sometimes crippling but thwy go away with medicine or just heating pad.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It should stabilize within 2 to 3 days. If not, better get yourself examined by a doctor. This could be an infection.

      Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Infections after medical abortions are rare. So, routine use of antibiotics is not recommended.

      You may need them if you get any fever, pain or cramps, foul smelly discharge or any other abnormal sign.

      Reply
  19. Grace david

    I had an abortion 2 weeks back and I notice at my left abdomen is a little swollen but am not feeling any pain and I don’t know if I have infection because I not have itching or smelling discharge and the discharge will come out white but when it stain my pant it will now be yellow please help me

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      If the swelling persists, your doctor may suggest an ultrasound. May not be an infection. Could be some other condition causing inflammation of the tube or ovary.

      Reply

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