Liver Abscess
A liver abscess is a serious infection, but a treatable one. In India it is most often amoebic, and catching it early makes the real difference.
Medically reviewed by the RIIMS medical team · Last updated: June 2026
Go to hospital now
- High fever with severe pain in the upper right abdomen
- Breathlessness or chest pain
- Sudden worsening of pain or new abdominal rigidity (possible rupture)
- Confusion or drowsiness with fever
See a doctor soon (not an emergency)
- Fever with abdominal discomfort persisting beyond a few days
- Ongoing heavy alcohol use with unexplained fever or weight loss
What is a liver abscess, and who gets it?
A liver abscess is a collection of pus inside the liver, caused by an infection that has taken hold in the liver tissue. In India, the amoebic type, caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica and usually spread through contaminated food or water, is the most common form. It is strongly linked to alcohol use, which is thought to weaken the immune defenses that would otherwise control the parasite, and it typically affects men between 18 and 50 years of age far more often than women. A liver abscess is treatable: most cases respond well to a course of medicine that kills the amoeba, and larger abscesses are drained, usually with a needle or a small tube placed through the skin under imaging guidance, rather than open surgery. Found and treated early, the outlook is good. The danger lies in delay, because a large abscess can rupture into the abdomen or chest, turning a treatable infection into a surgical emergency.
Symptoms to watch for
- Fever, often with chills
- Pain in the upper right abdomen, sometimes spreading to the right shoulder
- Tenderness over the liver
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cough or breathlessness, if the abscess is pressing upward
When to consult a doctor
Fever with pain in the upper right abdomen needs prompt medical evaluation, especially in a man with a history of regular alcohol use. Breathlessness, sudden worsening of pain, or a high fever that spikes suddenly needs emergency care.