An infection of the gallbladder is a serious and potentially life-threatening problem, and you should seek treatment as soon as possible if you believe you’re dealing with a gallbladder infection. These infections are most commonly linked to gallstone formation, but they present their own symptoms aside from pain and discomfort. Below, we take a look at some of the more serious symptoms associated with a gallbladder infection.
5 Signs of a Gallbladder Infection
Here are five of the most common symptoms that tend to develop when a person is dealing with a gallbladder infection.
- Fever – A fever is the most common characteristic of a gallbladder infection, and since fevers don’t typically occur with an acute gallbladder attack, a fever can help to distinguish between gallstone discomfort and the onset of an infection. More than 90 percent of individuals who have a gallbladder infection report a fever as one of their symptoms. If you have gallbladder pain and a fever, there’s a good chance an infection is present.
- Abdominal Tenderness – The presence of abdominal tenderness isn’t as indicative of an infection as a fever, but tenderness is usually present in the vast majority of infections. Try putting light pressure on the area, and if pain is severe or seems to come and go in waves, there’s a chance that you’re dealing with more than just gallstones.
- Jaundice – Your skin may appear to take on a slightly more yellowish tint if you’re dealing with a gallbladder infection. If the infected gallbladder can’t easily release bile, jaundice may set in, and you’ll want to seek out a professional as soon as possible.
- Elevated Heartbeat or Rapid Breathing – These are serious symptoms associated with a gallbladder infection. A racing heartbeat or rapid breathing may indicate that the gallbladder infection has spread to the bloodstream, which can also lead to drops in blood pressure. Your body responds to this drop by increasing your heart rate. Again, medical intervention is needed as soon as possible.
- Nausea and Vomiting – Finally, if you are experiencing light headedness, nausea and vomiting, there’s a chance that your gallbladder pain has transformed into a full blown infection. Fluid accumulation in the gallbladder triggers a range of different responses from the body, and nausea and vomiting are two of the more common responses.
If you are experiencing any of the above conditions, get to a gallbladder specialist as soon as possible. If the infection spreads or your gallbladder ruptures, the infection can quickly cause a number of serious issues for other organs and your whole body. Addressed quickly enough, surgeons can usually stabilize the infection by removing the gallbladder using a minimally invasive technique and by providing the patient with the right combination of antibiotics. For more information about gallbladder infections, reach out to Dr. Koeplin’s office today.
