infectious diseases
Abscesses
Symptoms and Signs of Abscesses
The symptoms and signs of cutaneous and subcutaneous abscesses are pain, heat, swelling, tenderness, and redness. If superficial abscesses are ready to spontaneously rupture, the skin over the center of the abscess may thin, sometimes appearing white or yellow because of the underlying pus (termed pointing). Fever may occur, especially with surrounding cellulitis. For deep abscesses, local pain and tenderness and systemic symptoms, especially fever, as well as anorexia, weight loss, and fatigue are typical. The predominant manifestation of some abscesses is abnormal organ function (eg, hemiplegia due to a brain abscess). Complicationsof abscesses include Bacteremic spread Rupture into adjacent tissue Bleeding from vessels eroded by inflammation Impaired function of a vital organ Inanition due to anorexia and increased metabolic needs 