Intra-abdominal infections

Are the second most common cause of infectious mortality in intensive care units. Complicated intra-
abdominal infection, which extends into the peritoneal space, is associated with abscess formation and
peritonitis. Uncomplicated infection, which involves intramural inflammation of the gastrointestinal
tract, may progress to complicated infection if left untreated.

Is a broad term that encompasses a number of infectious processes, including peritonitis, diverticulitis,
cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis. A common cause of IAI is appendicitis.

Sign and Symptoms

In patients with intra-abdominal infections, early warning scores associated with abdominal signs and
symptoms such as abdominal pain and abdominal rigidity can screen patients needing immediate acute
care surgery.

Causes
Intra-abdominal infections can be caused by facultative and obligate anaerobic organisms, gram-
negative facultative organism (Enterobacteriaceae with E. coli at the first place), other gram-negative
bacilli and Enterococci. Anaerobic bacteria are 1000 times more common than aerobes.

Treatment and Duration of Therapy

Source control is a vital nonpharmacologic intervention for the treatment of IAIs. Source control is
defined as interventional procedures used to help prevent or contain the source of the IAI. Examples
may include drainage of an abscess, debridement of necrotic tissue, or surgical repair of perforations.
For uncomplicated IAI, source control may serve as the mainstay of treatment with minimal antibiotic
use.

Nursing Management.
Antimicrobial therapy with agents effective against facultative and aerobic gram-negative organisms and
anaerobic organisms should be initiated.
Laparoscopy or open appendectomy should be performed as soon as possible.

Systemic viral Infection

Caused by the presence of a virus in the body. Depending on the virus and the person's state of
health, various viruses can infect almost any type of body tissue, from the brain to the skin.
Viral infections cannot be treated with typical antibiotics (antibacterial antibiotics); in fact, in
some cases the use of antibacterial antibiotics may cause side-effects that complicate the viral
infection. The vast majority of human viral infections can be effectively fought by the body's
own immune system, with a little help in the form of proper diet, hydration, and rest. As for the
rest, treatment depends on the type and location of the virus, and may include anti-viral
antibiotics or other drugs.