Peritonitis / Sepsis

Peritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum, the tissue that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the abdominal organs. Peritonitis may be localized or generalized, and may result from a ruptured appendix, stomach ulcer or perforated colon which may allow bacteria to get into the peritoneum through a hole in your gastrointestinal tract. It may result from inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis) complicated by infection if the bacteria spread outside the pancreas or from perforated diverticulitis (one of the diverticula pouches ruptures, spilling intestinal waste into your abdomen). Left untreated, peritonitis can extend beyond your peritoneum, where it may cause a bloodstream infection (bacteremia) or an infection throughout your body (sepsis, a rapidly progressing, life-threatening condition that can cause shock and organ failure).

 

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