A liver abscess is a pocket of pus in the liver. It’s usually caused by a bacterial infection, but can also be caused by a fungal or parasitic infection.
A liver abscess is a pocket of pus in the liver. It’s usually caused by a bacterial infection, but can also be caused by a fungal or parasitic infection.
There are many ways to develop a liver abscess, including:
You may have 1 or more liver abscesses.
If you have a liver abscess, you may develop symptoms, including:
See a doctor if you have, or think you may have, a liver abscess.
Your doctor may suspect a liver abscess based on your symptoms, medical history and after looking at and/or feeling your tummy area (abdomen). They may also do blood tests,
imaging scans (
or ) and take a sample of pus from the abscess using a small needle.If you have a liver abscess, it may be treated with antibiotics and by draining the pus. This can be done in several ways, including putting a needle or a small tube (catheter) or surgery.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.