General clinical features

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