Peritonitis is an infection of the inner lining of the tummy. Left untreated, it can become life threatening.
The lining of the tummy (peritoneum) covers internal organs like the kidneys, liver and bowel.
If the lining becomes infected, the internal organs it covers can also be damaged.
This most often happens because of things like:
Rarely, if bacteria gets into peritoneal dialysis equipment used to treat people with kidney failure, this can cause infection.
You might also have:
Serious complications like sepsis can happen if the infection spreads.
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
Get an urgent GP appointment
A GP may be able to help you.
Ask your GP practice for an urgent appointment.
If you're having kidney dialysis treatment, the fluid in the collection bag might look cloudier than usual or contain white flecks.
If you're diagnosed with peritonitis, you'll need treatment in hospital to get rid of the infection. This might take 10 to 14 days.
Treatment usually involves being given antibiotics into a vein (intravenously).
If your peritonitis was caused by kidney dialysis treatment, antibiotics may be injected directly into the stomach lining.
If you have regular kidney dialysis, your doctor might discuss a different way of doing it until the peritonitis has been treated.
It can be hard to digest food if you have peritonitis.
A feeding tube might be passed into your stomach through your nose or placed inside your stomach using keyhole surgery.
If a feeding tube cannot be used, liquid nutrients can be given directly into one of your veins.
If part of the stomach lining has been seriously damaged by infection, you may need surgery to remove it.
Sometimes pus-filled swellings (abscesses) develop in the lining and need to be drained with a needle under local anaesthetic.
You might also need an operation to deal with the cause of the peritonitis. For example, a burst appendix will need to be removed.