Septic abortion

A septic abortion "is an infection of the placenta and fetus (products of conception) of a previable pregnancy. Infection is centered in the placenta and there is risk of spreading to the uterus, causing pelvic infection or becoming systemic to cause septicemia and potential damage of distant vital organs."

In a woman with septic abortion, signs and symptoms that are related to the infection are mainly:

A cold or urinary tract infection may mimic many of the symptoms.

As the condition becomes more serious, signs of septic shock may appear, including:

Septic shock may lead to kidney failure, bleeding diathesis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Intestinal organs may also become infected, potentially causing scar tissue with chronic pain, intestinal blockage, and infertility.

If the septic abortion is not treated quickly and effectively, the woman may die.

A septic abortion can occur when bacteria enters the uterus. The bacteria may also belong to the vaginal flora. Also, sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as chlamydia may cause septic abortion.

The risk of a septic abortion is increased by mainly the following factors:

Better birth control and legal abortion (to prevent unsafe abortions) have dramatically reduced the number of septic abortions. To decrease the risk further, a woman should be tested for common sexually transmitted infections in the first trimester of her pregnancy. If a woman thinks she might be miscarrying or has miscarried, she should call her healthcare provider immediately.

The woman should have intravenous fluids to maintain blood pressure and urine output (Oliguria or hypouresis both names from roots meaning "not enough urine" is the low output of urine). Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics should be given until the fever is gone.

...
Wikipedia