Health ConditionsDigestive Health

What Is Peritonitis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

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Updated on April 30, 2023
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Peritonitis is a bacterial or fungal infection of the peritoneum, the thin, silklike membrane that lines your inner abdominal wall.

The peritoneum protects the organs within your abdomen, such as your liver, stomach, and intestines.

Peritonitis results in pain, inflammation, and irritation, and requires immediate medical attention to treat the infection and any underlying condition that may have caused it.

Signs and Symptoms of Peritonitis

Numerous symptoms are linked to peritonitis, including:

  • Abdominal pain or tenderness
  • Bloating or feeling full
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Inability to pass stool or gas
  • Low urine output
  • Thirst
  • Fatigue
  • Chills
  • Joint pain
  • Dizziness or weakness

Causes of Peritonitis

Peritonitis often comes from a problem in another part of the abdomen that allows blood, pus, or other body fluids into the abdominal cavity, such as an abscess or perforation in an organ. That’s known as secondary peritonitis. Reasons this might happen include:

  • Appendicitis
  • Stomach ulcer
  • Diverticulitis
  • Pancreatitis
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Complication from intestinal surgery or a procedure like a colonoscopy or endoscopy
  • Damage from a feeding tube or dialysis catheter
  • Injuries in which the abdomen is punctured, like a gunshot wound

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis happens without an outside cause. It’s usually associated with an abnormal buildup of fluid inside the abdomen called ascites. Some conditions that can cause this include advanced liver disease, kidney disease, certain cancers, and congestive heart failure.

Peritonitis is a potential complication of peritoneal dialysis, a treatment for kidney failure.

Premature babies who have a serious gastrointestinal problem called necrotizing enterocolitis are also susceptible.

How Is Peritonitis Diagnosed?

Your doctor will most likely start with a physical exam of your abdomen to feel if it is unusually tender or firm.

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