Pelvic peritonitis
Pelvic peritonitis is inflammation and infection of the peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdomen in the pelvic area. Pelvic peritonitis occurs most often as a complication of an infection of the fallopian tubes.
Signs of peritonitis include:
- Swelling of the abdomen.
- Severe pain and tenderness in the abdomen that becomes worse when the person moves, coughs, or presses on the abdomen. The pain sometimes goes up into the shoulder.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- A rapid pulse.
- Chills and fever.
- Rapid breathing.
A person with these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Without treatment, the illness rapidly worsens and can become life-threatening.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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