Peritonitis: these are the symptoms of peritonitis

Symptoms of peritonitis depend on the type of peritonitis. The inflammation often results from a pre-existing illness. Read about symptoms and treatment of peritonitis here.

Symptoms of peritonitis

The symptoms of peritonitis differ depending on whether it is primary or secondary peritonitis.

• The primary peritonitis is triggered by bacteria. Symptoms for this are rare. However, fever and abdominal pain can be a sign of peritonitis. Often, other diseases such as dropsy or liver disease are related.
• The secondary peritonitis is due to an existing inflammation in the abdomen. Patients have very severe abdominal pain and the abdominal wall is very hard due to the pain in their abdominal muscles.
• Furthermore, patients suffer from fever and weakness. The abdominal pain is often reduced when you lie down with your legs drawn up.

Treatment of peritonitis

Depending on the type of peritonitis, the treatment of the disease is different.

• Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis must be treated with antibiotics. So-called quinolones, a group of antibiotics, are used for a first disease.
• However, if the affected person is previously ill or has ever had inflammation of the peritoneum that requires therapy, antibiotics from the cephalosporins group are used. These are administered via an infusion into the vein.
• Secondary peritonitis is often associated with a life-threatening cardiovascular condition. Therefore, the patient's blood pressure and heart rate must be monitored and treated in the intensive care unit.
• Since secondary peritonitis is the result of an existing underlying disease, it must first be remedied. Breakthrough of the appendix is ​​often the cause of peritonitis.
• The breakthrough is closed and cleaned here during a small surgical intervention. If the damage is greater, the entire abdominal wall must be opened and the abdominal cavity cleaned of bacteria, pus and blood.