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What Happens When You Have an Infected Gallbladder?

Gallbladder rendering
Symptoms of cholecystitis (inflamed or infected gallbladder) include severe pain in the upper right abdomen, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), loose and light-colored bowel movements, and bloating.

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located under the liver that stores bile, a fluid that helps the body break down fat in food. 

When you have an infected gallbladder, it can become inflamed, causing a condition called cholecystitis.

Symptoms of cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder) include:

  • Pain in the upper right abdomen that is severe and constant and may last for days
    • Can occur suddenly
    • May worsen when inhaling 
    • Can spread to the back or below the right shoulder blade
  • Fever 
  • Chills 
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • Loose, light-colored bowel movements
  • Bloating

What Causes an Infected Gallbladder?

An infected gallbladder is usually caused by bacteria in the bile duct system, which is the drainage system that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder into the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum).

How Is an Infected Gallbladder Diagnosed?

Gallbladder infections are diagnosed with a patient history and physical examination, along with tests such as:

  • Blood tests
  • Imaging tests
    • Ultrasound 
    • Computed tomography (CT) scan
    • Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan
    • Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
    • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

What Is the Treatment for an Infected Gallbladder?

Treatment for an infected gallbladder may include: 

  • Antibiotics to treat the infection
  • Pain medications 
    • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve)
    • Narcotic analgesics
  • Intravenous (IV) fluids and pain medicines 
  • Keeping your stomach empty until your symptoms ease
  • Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) 

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https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/cholecystitis