Intra-abdominal Abscess

An intra-abdominal abscess is a collection of pus within the abdomen, generally as a consequence of an infection, a previous surgery, or the complication of another disease of the internal organs. The body encloses the infection in a pocket of tissue, which can cause discomfort and fever.

Frequent symptoms:

• Localized or diffuse abdominal pain
• Fever and chills
• General malaise, nausea, or lack of appetite

When to seek care? Intense abdominal pain accompanied by persistent fever deserves prompt evaluation, as it may require imaging studies to confirm it.

Which specialist treats it? The general surgeon is usually the one who takes charge of managing this condition; the general practitioner performs the first evaluation and refers when needed. In the face of these signs, the advisable thing is to place yourself in the hands of a health professional.