Symptoms of an infection following a miscarriage include fever, cramping, foul-smelling discharge and bleeding that does not stop, according to Medline Plus. Typically an infection following a miscarriage occurs in the uterus when tissue from the fetus or placenta is not fully expelled and does not affect the cervix.
Infection and complications after a miscarriage are a rare occurrence, according to Medline Plus. However, when they do occur, they are very serious and immediate medical attention is necessary. If a miscarriage occurs after 20 weeks of gestation, immediate medical attention is also required, as this is considered a premature delivery, or stillbirth, and requires a different procedure than an early-term miscarriage.
Tissues from a miscarriage can take up to two weeks to fully leave the body, according to Medline Plus. If tissue does not leave on its own, medication or surgery may be used to remove the tissue to prevent infection. Following a miscarriage, a woman typically resumes her regular menstrual cycle after four to six weeks. Any additional bleeding during this time should be closely monitored, and a woman should wait at least one menstrual cycle before trying to get pregnant again. Most miscarriages occur before the seventh week of pregnancy.