Abdominal infections can be caused by organ ruptures, surgery, or trauma, and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Symptoms include redness, tenderness, and swelling in the abdominal region, and treatment may include hospitalization, surgery, and antibiotics. Prophylactic antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection in high-risk patients.
An abdominal infection is an infection that occurs in the abdomen, the area of the body between the chest and the pelvis. There are numerous causes of abdominal infection, ranging from organ ruptures to surgical procedures, and these infections can be life-threatening if not treated promptly and aggressively. Treatment plans often include hospitalization, as the patient must be closely monitored.
Abdominal infections occur when the normally relatively clean environment of the abdomen is exposed to bacteria. This can occur when there is a rupture or injury to an abdominal organ, releasing bacteria into the abdominal cavity, or when someone suffers abdominal trauma, in which case bacteria could be introduced through a wound in the abdomen. Surgery can also lead to infection in the abdomen if conditions aren’t perfectly sterile, and sometimes a superficial injury can puncture the abdomen, releasing a surge of bacteria.
For patients, these infections are bad news, because the infection can rapidly spread to the abdominal organs, causing organ failure that will lead to shock, coma and death. The infection can also cause sepsis, in which case it can spread to other parts of the body. Abdominal infections are also notoriously difficult to treat. Treatment may include opening the abdomen for surgical debridement and debridement, in which infected material is removed and the abdominal cavity is washed with antibacterial cleansers, and the patient is usually given antibiotics in an attempt to fight the bacteria causing the ‘infection.
To address concerns about the possibility of organ failure due to an abdominal infection, a patient may receive supportive care such as intravenous fluids. If shock occurs due to infection, interventions such as being connected to a ventilator can be used to keep the patient alive while the medical team fights off the infection.
Symptoms of an abdominal infection can vary. Redness, tenderness, and swelling in the abdominal region are common, and the area may feel stiff to palpation. Patients may also experience gastrointestinal distress, along with organ damage symptoms that can range from decreased urine output to jaundice. If the infection has progressed, the patient may have an altered level of consciousness, a depressed appetite, and a feeling of extreme lethargy and exhaustion.
Because many of the risk factors for abdominal infections are well known, when a risk factor such as recent surgery or abdominal trauma is present, a medical team usually prescribes prophylactic antibiotics to the patient to prevent infection, and the patient will be monitored quickly for the first signs of infection. If an infection is found, prompt medical attention is required to prevent complications that can range from permanent organ damage to death.
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