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An abscess is a hollow space in the body that is filled with pus and surrounded by inflamed tissue. Abscesses can be serious and lead to gangrene and permanent organ damage if they are not recognized and treated promptly.
An abscess forms from a bacterial infection, parasitic infection or foreign body and can develop in many places in the body. One type of bacteria that commonly causes abscesses is Staphylococcus aureus. Examples of abscesses include skin abscess, brain abscess, lung abscess, kidney abscess, bones abscess, abdominal abscess, rectal abscess, breast abscess, liver abscess, spinal cord abscess and tooth abscess.
An abscess develops when harmful bacteria or parasites infect an area of body tissue, such as the gums or the skin. The body tries to attack the infection by sending a surge of white blood cells (infection fighting cells) to the infected area. During this process living and dead white blood cells, fluid, bacteria, and dead tissue collect within the diseased tissue and form pus. The surrounding tissue also becomes inflamed and painful.
Symptoms and complications of an abscess vary depending on the area of the body where it develops. Symptoms often include swelling and pain. Some types of abscesses can lead to serious, even life-threatening complications, such as sepsis, kidney failure, shock, and death. For more information on complications and symptoms, refer to symptoms of abscess.
People at risk for an abscess and its complications include those who have a compromised immune system due to such diseases as HIV/AIDS or combined immunodeficiencies. People who take certain medications, such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy, which suppress the body's natural immune response, are also at risk for contracting an abscess. Other risk factors include having diabetes, cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, severe burns, or severe trauma.
Making a diagnosis of an abscess begins with taking a thorough medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination. The types of diagnostic testing performed for a suspected abscess varies depending on the symptoms. A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test is often performed. A complete blood count measures the numbers of different types of blood cells, including white blood cells (WBCs). Different types of WBCs increase in number in characteristic ways during an infectious or inflammatory process, such as an abscess.
A culture and sensitivity test (C and S) may also be performed and involves taking a small sample from the abscess and growing it in the laboratory. This test determines the type of organism causing the abscess, as well as which antibiotics would be most effective in treating it.
Imaging tests, such as X-ray, CT, or MRI, may be performed to assist in the diagnosis of some internal abscesses, such as a pancreatic abscess, liver abscess or kidney abscess. Additional tests may be performed in order to rule out or confirm other diseases that may accompany an abscess or cause similar symptoms.
It is possible that a diagnosis of an abscess can be missed or delayed because some symptoms, such as fever and inflammation are similar to symptoms of other diseases of conditions. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of abscess.
Treatment of an abscess varies depending on its location and other diseases and conditions that may coexist with the abscess. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of abscess....more »
A diagnosis of an abscess may be delayed because some symptoms may initially be nonspecific or mild. These include swelling, redness, and tenderness to the area where the abscess is forming. Other symptoms, such as fever, chills, and severe pain to affected area may be initially be assumed to be related to various infectious diseases or inflammatory processes, such as pelvic ...more misdiagnosis »
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Abscess.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 44 causes of Abscess
» Review Causes of Abscess: Causes | Symptom Checker »
Review the causes of these more specific types of Abscess:
Review causes of more specific types of Abscess:
See full list of 16 types for Abscess
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Abscess, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
See full list of 501 Symptom Checkers for Abscess
The first step in treating abscesses is preventing their occurrence. Prevention includes maintaining good personal hygiene with frequent hand washing and washing the body with soap and water.
It is also important to see a licensed medical provider for any deep puncture wounds, severe burns, human or animal bites or wounds or lacerations that may have debris or a foreign body in them. This ...Abscess Treatments
Some of the possible treatments listed in sources for treatment of Abscess may include:
Review further information on Abscess Treatments.
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Abscess as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 2
medications causing Abscess
Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms for Abscess may include these symptoms:
See all associated comorbid symptoms for Abscess
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Abscess:
Read more about causes and Abscess deaths.
Symptom consisting of a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
The list below shows some of the causes of Abscess mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 44 causes of Abscess
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Abscess. Of the 44 causes of Abscess that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
See the analysis of the prevalence of 44 causes of Abscess
The following list of conditions have 'Abscess' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Abscess or choose View All.
The following list of medical conditions have Abscess or similar listed as a medical complication in our database. The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear, and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
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This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Abscess based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Subtypes of Abscess:
Chronic abscess (12 causes)
Medical Conditions associated with Abscess:
Pus (54 causes), Sores (467 causes), Infection-related symptoms (1293 causes), Skin symptoms (5992 causes), Skin problems (3422 causes)
Symptoms related to Abscess:
Swelling (3730 causes), Pus symptoms, Infection (1293 causes), Ulcer (24 causes), Skin ulcer (38 causes), Bruise (348 causes), Collection of pus, Brain tumors, Breast abscess (5 causes), Pilonidal sinus, Pilonidal abscess, Incision and drainage
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
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Copyright © 2011 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 1 February, 2012 (0:30)
