Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis history and symptoms

Overview
Symptoms include fevers, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal tenderness and general malaise. Patients may complain of abdominal pain and worsening ascites. It is important to emphasize, though, that hepatic encephalopathy may be the only manifestation of SBP, especially in people with cirrhosis and ascites. Indeed, in the absence of a clear precipitant for the encephalopathy, all patients should undergo paracentesis with a view towards ruling SBP in or out.