Abscess an enclosed collection of liquefied tissue, known as pus, somewhere in the body. It is the result of the body's defensive reaction to foreign material. There are two types of abscesses, septic and sterile. Most abscesses are septic, which means that they are the result of an infection. Septic abscesses can occur anywhere in the body. Only a germ and the body's immune response are required. In response to the invading germ, white blood cells gather at the infected site and begin producing chemicals called enzymes that attack the germ by digesting it. These enzymes act like acid, killing the germs and breaking them down into small pieces that can be picked up by the circulation and eliminated from the body. Unfortunately, these chemicals also digest …show more content…
The most common germ involved is staphylococcus aureus. Acne is a similar condition of sebaceous glands on the face and back. Pilonidal abscess. Many people have as a birth defect a tiny opening in the skin just above the anus. Fecal bacteria can enter this opening, causing an infection and subsequent abscess. Retropharyngeal, parapharyngeal, peritonsillar abscess. As a result of throat infections like strep throat and tonsillitis, bacteria can invade the deeper tissues of the throat and cause an abscess. These abscesses can compromise swallowing and even breathing. Lung abscess, during or after pneumonia, whether it's due to bacteria most commonly pneumonia is; tuberculosis, fungi, parasites, or other germs, abscesses can develop as a complication. Liver abscess, bacteria or amoeba from the intestines can spread through the blood to the liver and cause abscesses. Psoas abscess, deep in the back of the abdomen on either side of the lumbar spine is the psoas muscles. They flex the hips. An abscess can develop in one of these muscles, usually when it spreads from the appendix, the large bowel, or the fallopian