256 Abor tion
TRANSPORT!
Signs of serious infection:
• chills and high fever
• muscle aches, weakness,
and tiredness
• swollen, hard, and painful belly
• bad-smelling discharge from the vagina
Treatment for serious infection:
• Take the woman to a health center or hospital immediately.
• Start the following medicines right away, even if you are
already on your way to the hospital. If she can swallow, give
her these medicines, with plenty of water:
Medicines for infection after abortion
Medicines by mouth
Medicine:
How much to give: When and how to give:
Give all 3 medicines:
cefixime 400. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mg 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . time only
and
doxycycline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 mg 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . times a day, for 14 days
(avoid taking doxycycline if you are breastfeeding)
and
metronidazole. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 to 500 mg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 times a day, for 14 days
IMPORTANT If the woman is not improving within 24 hours of starting the first medicines,
she needs to go to a hospital right away.
If the woman cannot swallow medicines and you know how to
give injections or IV medicines, start giving the medicines listed on
the next page. But do not delay. Take the woman for medical
help or to a hospital right away. She needs medical help fast.
Tetanus
A woman with an infection or bleeding from an injury after
abortion can get a tetanus infection, especially if a dirty object or
instrument was put into her womb. She needs a tetanus toxoid
vaccination immediately (see page 515).
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012