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CHOC Childrens

Children's Hospital of Orange County
CHOC.org
455 South Main Street
Orange, CA 92868-3874
(714) 997-3000


What's an Abscess?

Abscess

Say: AB-sess

An abscess is a collection of pus. Abscesses can happen when your body is fighting germs that cause an infection. White blood cells gather in the place where the germs are and make pus. An abscess can cause swelling and hurt. You can get an abscess inside your body, in a tooth, or in your skin.