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Original poster

Please offer me advice on this serious pelvic infection.....

27 replies

Nixz · 08/07/2008 22:04

OK - I will keep it simple as I dont know a lot of the facts, here goes.
I have a good friend who moved away with his wife and family (large family, second marriages on both parts). They now live a wonderful life on a dream island.

Had an email from my friend tonight saying that his DD (9) is in hospital with a serious pelvic infection.
Friend has said that DD has no Hymen, has vaginal bleeding and quite a bad infection.
Drs have said that infections can cause the bleeding/hymen symptoms but that sexual assault is quite possible.
Friend is struggling to accept this as (and this is where I dont know much yet) I think his DD would have mentioned something by now and also they are hardly ever away from thier kids.
Have you ever heard of any infections that could cause these symptoms?
Would welcome any advise or opinions or experiences so that I can offer them to my friend.
Thanks

OP posts:
NormaStanleyFletcher · 08/07/2008 22:06

How old is their DD

Sounds frightening for them

iBundle · 08/07/2008 22:07

I have never heard of anything that could cause such symptoms

our GP asked us re: possible abuse (standard practice) when dd1 had thrush a couple of years back.

Original poster
Nixz · 08/07/2008 22:11

She is 9
It is very frightening....

OP posts:
Original poster
Nixz · 08/07/2008 22:44

Anyone else??
Ive been googling for ages but there is not that much specific information.

Ive been trying to steer away from the 'abuse' stuff and trying to find as many alternative causes.

OP posts:
Naetha · 08/07/2008 23:00

The hymen can be broken by things like gymnastics and horse riding.

As for pelvic infection, well I once got bad cystitis (was the first time I got it) from a day's horse riding where I barely drank any water and didn't go to the loo for about 10 hours. As I didn't know what was going on, and was embarrassed by it all, I left it for a week before I got to breaking point and mentioned it to my stepmum. Of course she immediately accused me of having sex (I was 13 at the time). Because I'd left it so long, it spread into a kidney infection, but was treated and under control eventually.

Hope this helps.

solo · 08/07/2008 23:05

Cystitis isn't pelvic infection though...Pelvic infection is caused by sexual contact with an infected person...Isn't it?

morocco · 08/07/2008 23:07

where do they live? just wondering if your friend is outiside the uk? doctors in some countries can tend towards the dramatic and if you're not used to it, it can be very freaky. eg going to gp with a headache and getting immediate referral in case of brain tumour (happened to lots of my friends). probably a good idea and no doubt we don't do it here cos of nhs rationing but still very freaky if you are not used to your doctor running through all the worst possible scenarios straight away. so it might turn out the abuse part is a bit of melodrama on the doctors part

Original poster
Nixz · 08/07/2008 23:08

Thanks - she is only 9 and hasnt done anything anymore strenuous than swimming in their pool.

It is a pelvic infection and the poor little girl has also had bleeding from the vagina.

Im certain that their must be other explanations. Im hoping...

I have, more or less found 2 obvious explanations.
First is a STI, the second could possibly be some sort of foreign object, put into the vagina, which can cause an infection. The second suggestion maybe slightly more less worrying as Im sure this has happened before, with younger kids.

God - imagine if it was you in that hospital with your DD - its bloody horrifying
God - I dont know what to think.....

PLease - keep you suggestions coming, I feel it is the only thing I can do for my friend right now.

OP posts:
Heathcliffscathy · 08/07/2008 23:10

PID pelvic inflammatory disease.

sexually transmitted. and nasty.

Original poster
Nixz · 08/07/2008 23:10

They are on an island in the Indian Ocean.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nixz · 08/07/2008 23:11

PID is not always caused by an STI though

OP posts:
Heathcliffscathy · 08/07/2008 23:12

really. i thought it was. i've had it.

harpsichordcarrier · 08/07/2008 23:17

I have had PID and god it was awful but it isn't always sexually transmitted
it is just an infection that can enter through the cervix

Heathcliffscathy · 08/07/2008 23:17

in the majority of cases it is sexually transmitted.

expatinscotland · 08/07/2008 23:22

i had no hymen from doing lots and lots of ballet.

some girls are born without one and/or a partial one.

combustiblelemon · 08/07/2008 23:26

It looks like it can be caused by stuff normally found in the vagina, though it describes this as rare. Here.
The statistics that describe it as rare are probably based on the fact that most of the females treated are older and sexually active though. In a girl of that age it might be that it's more commonly caused by 'resident flora and fauna' than as a complication of an STI.

Original poster
Nixz · 08/07/2008 23:32

Yes, Ive realised that now, that may not be too much of an issue then????

She was obviously in a lot of pain for her Dad to take her to the hospital, I think this is the main area of concern.

Ive also just realised what an awful experience that little girl has had to go through for Drs to know this.

Thankyou for your responses, Im hoping to get someone who has experienced this and can give me an alternative outlook.

I desperately want to give my friend something else to consider.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nixz · 08/07/2008 23:35

Expat - my message was in regard to your comment on girls' Hymen.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 08/07/2008 23:37

it may or may not be an issue, but it's definitely not definite proof of sexual assault.

if the girl is very sportive, there's a chance she hasn't got it anymore, particularly sports like gymnastics or dance, horse riding, etc.

combustiblelemon · 08/07/2008 23:38

Have they had the pool long? The site I linked to seemed to suggest that excessive cleanliness (extra showers, possibly heavy chlorine) can cause the natural flora in the vagina to become unbalanced and the bacteria that can lead to e.g. bacterial vaginosis to thrive.

Original poster
Nixz · 08/07/2008 23:41

She doesnt do any regular sports.
They have had the pool just over 12 months.

Would bacterial vaginosis lead to PID, if left untreated and how long would it take to become as serious??

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 08/07/2008 23:43

bacterial vaginosis can indeed lead to PID.

i had BV from pregnancy with DD1 and had NO other symptom but a bit of spotting at about 6 weeks gestation.

Original poster
Nixz · 08/07/2008 23:45

Expat - I feel sexual abuse would be the worst and most unbelievable cause tbh.

But then I have this nagging doubt in my mind, the one that says "well, its gotta happen to someone" but then I have to start questionning all kinds of things!

I feel more than 50% sure there has to be a good explanation. But whatever the explanation, I feel for my friend and really wanted to offer him some words of wisdom this evening

OP posts:
Original poster
Nixz · 09/07/2008 18:08

I have just spoken with my friends wife and she has just told me that the police and Psychs have ruled out abuse.
What a relief!

The poor little thing is still very ill, the Drs think the infection may have spread to her appendix so she is having more tests.

What a scary few days for them

Thanks for your replies.

OP posts:
morocco · 10/07/2008 21:03

poor thing

glad at least worst fears ruled out

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