Peritonitis is considered an emergency and treatment is normally carried out in-hospital. Treatment options will include:
Antibiotic medications: These can be applied directly to the blood using intravenous (IV) injection. The doctor will start by using general purpose antibiotics before waiting for the tests to identify the bacteria. If the more general antibiotic medications do not have the desired effect, a doctor may administer more specific drugs later.
Surgery: Doctors will consider surgery in cases where the cause is, for example, a hole in the gut. An operation may also be needed to remove damaged peritoneal tissue.
Wider support therapies: These therapies can range from intensive life support to dietary assistance.