Types of Peritonitis ; Primary and Secondary Peritonitis

Peritonitis can be classified into several types based on various factors, including:

1. Etiology:
Primary peritonitis (spontaneous, no obvious source)
Secondary peritonitis (resulting from a clear source, e.g., appendicitis)
Tertiary peritonitis (persistent or recurrent, despite treatment)

2. Duration:
Acute peritonitis ( sudden onset, short duration)
Chronic peritonitis (long-standing, persistent)

3. Location:
Generalized peritonitis (widespread, throughout the peritoneal cavity)
Localized peritonitis (confined to a specific area)

4. Pathogen:
Bacterial peritonitis (most common, e.g., E. coli, Staphylococcus)
Fungal peritonitis (less common, e.g., Candida)
Tuberculous peritonitis (rare, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis)

5. Underlying condition:
Peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients
Peritonitis in cirrhotic patients (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis)

6. Severity:
Mild peritonitis (limited symptoms, minimal fluid accumulation)
Moderate peritonitis (more pronounced symptoms, significant fluid accumulation)
Severe peritonitis (life-threatening, widespread infection)

Understanding the type of peritonitis helps guide diagnosis, treatment, and management.

#Peritonitis