Can a perforated bowel cause an infection?

Answer by  anglcrssy (212)

Oh yes. Bacteria is leaking into the body which causes major infection and will be life-threatening if it is left untreated.

Answer by  jsmith (2067)

Yes, a perforated bowel can cause an infection, and yes that infection can be life-threatening. The large bowel is absolutely loaded with bacteria that are part of the normal microflora of our bodies. With a perforated bowel, these bacteria can easily spread to surrounding tissue and cause septicemia and death.

Answer by  monkeyz (3150)

A perforated bowel is a hole in the digestive tract that allows the contents of the digestive tract to flow freely in the abdomen. This can cause infection, since you are basically defecating into your own abdominal cavity. Bacteria will enter the abdomen and begin to multiply. The end result of an untreated perforation is death.

Answer by  HH (404)

Yes and yes. Your bowel is the place in your body with the highest number of microbes. If that containment is broken, infection results. Can be life-threatening depending on size.

Answer by  John (9008)

A perforated bowel can cause an infection. The bowels remove waste from the body, including bacteria, and a perforation can let this into dangerous places.