There are many types of abdominal infections that can affect a person. They include intestinal infections, which are commonly caused by viruses and bacteria, as well as those that affect vital organs such as the kidneys and liver. Abdominal infections often cause those who suffer from them a good deal of pain and can lead to such symptoms as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and appetite disturbances. Such infections also may adversely affect the movement of the bowels and the passage of urine.
Intestinal infections are among the most common types of abdominal infections. These infections often develop when bacteria or viruses invade the intestines, but they also can develop because of other disease-causing organisms. For example, a person may develop an intestinal infection because of parasites or fungi.
Though there are various causes of intestinal infections, the signs of this type of abdominal infection are often similar. In many cases, a person who has an abdominal infection will suffer from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea or constipation. A person with this condition also may develop pain or cramping in the abdominal region, as well as a loss of appetite. Some people may develop a fever, but this often depends on the organism that caused the abdominal infection. Some people also suffer from dehydration as the result of intestinal infections, but this is often the result of fluid loss associated with vomiting and diarrhea.
Infections also may develop in other parts of the abdomen, including the kidneys, which are responsible for filtering impurities from the blood. A kidney infection typically starts in a person’s bladder or in the tube, called the urethra, which carries urine out of the body. From the bladder or the urethra, infection usually makes its way to the kidneys. This type of abdominal infection is usually caused by bacteria and can become life-threatening if left untreated. Kidney infection symptoms can include pain in the abdomen, changes in urinary frequency, painful urination and the presence of blood in the urine.
The liver is a vital organ that has a variety of jobs important to digestion, protein building and removing toxins from the body. Liver infections, however, also are among the types of abdominal infections from which a person may suffer, and they may be the result of viral invaders that can make a person very ill for a short period of time or lead to chronic symptoms. Bacteria also can cause liver infections. Among the common symptoms of a liver infection are pain and swelling, yellowed skin and eyes, vomiting, nausea and weight loss. Changes in a person’s stools also may develop in relation to a liver infection.