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General clinical features

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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The clinical features of an abscess are dependent on many factors including its site, size and the organism involved. General features of external abscesses may include:

  • locally, cardinal signs of inflammation:
    • erythema, hot at site
    • tender and fluctuant to palpation
    • pain at site may be severe and throbbing, particularly if pus is under tension
    • a white surface point, indication that the pyogenic cavity has tracked to the surface and may discharge
  • toxic reaction, if extensive:
    • pyrexia, occasionally pyrexia of unknown origin is the only feature
    • malaise
    • anorexia
    • sweating
    • rigors
    • septicaemic shock
    • ultimately, multi-organ failure and death

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