An abscess occurs when an infection causes a pocket of pus to develop. Abscesses can develop on the skin, in the mouth, or inside the body. Bacterial infections typically cause abscesses. Pus develops ...

Blocked airway. Mucus can form behind a tumor or foreign object in your windpipe and cause an abscess. If bacteria get into the mucus, the blockage stops you from coughing it out. Blood-borne causes.

A peritonsillar abscess forms in the tissues of the throat next to one of the tonsils. An abscess is a collection of pus that forms near an area of infected skin or other soft tissue. The abscess can ...

A breast abscess is a pus-filled lump that grows under the skin as a result of an infection. These abscesses usually form during breastfeeding, but anyone, regardless of sex, can develop one. This ...

Left untreated, a gum abscess can lead to serious complications. But catching and treating it early leads to a more positive outlook. What is a gum abscess? An abscess is a pocket of pus that can ...

A skin abscess is a bump within or below the skin’s surface. It is usually full of pus, painful, and may feel thick and swollen. This is typically caused by a bacterial infection. A skin abscess may ...

A brain abscess is a localized collection of pus in the brain, often resulting from infections in nearby areas like the sinuses or ears. The classic triad of symptoms—fever, headache, and focal ...

Jon LaPook, M.D. is the award-winning chief medical correspondent for CBS News. Since joining CBS News in 2006, LaPook has delivered more than 1,200 reports on a wide variety of breaking news and ...