You are being treated for an infection in your peritoneal fluid. This is called Peritonitis.
What is peritonitis?
Peritonitis is caused by bacteria entering your peritoneal cavity either through your peritoneal dialysis catheter or transfer across from your bowel. This causes cloudy PD fluid, often pain or discomfort in your abdomen. Other symptoms can nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and a temperature.
How is it caused?
It is normally caused by contamination of your PD catheter, infection around your exit site or problems with your bowels.
What is the treatment?
The initial treatment is to have antibiotics put directly into your PD fluid and left to dwell for at least 6 hours. You will then need to have some oral antibiotics.
A sample of your PD fluid will be taken and sent for testing, and this will guide what treatment is best for you.
Once the results of the first sample are received your treatment may then be changed.
A further Sample of your PD fluid and blood tests will be required about 3 days after your infection started.
What to look out for?
Once treated your PD fluid should clear quickly but it is important you continue to check your PD fluid and report to the team if it is not clearing or getting cloudy again. You should also contact the team if you begin to have more pain, sickness or become unwell. You may need to attend A&E if your symptoms are very severe.
What do I need to do?
You should ensure you perform your dialysis very carefully and wash/gel your hands as you have been shown. Ensure windows and doors are closed and anyone with a cough/cold wears a mask. Your community team will follow you up at home to check how you do your dialysis and advise if you need to make any changes.
Will it happen again?
Sometimes peritonitis does not improve, and you may need to be in hospital to be treated more effectively. Occasionally if the infection does not improve, your catheter may have to be removed. If this happens the team will discuss options for dialysis for you. Contact the PD team on 0161 206 52 if you have any concerns, PD on call advice line 07710 387725, ward H3 0161 206
4633.
Important dates for your next treatment and review:
Date: 2nd PD fluid sample and bloods
Further treatments:
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date of Review: November 2024
Date of Next Review: November 2026
Ref No: PI_M_2014 (Salford)