What effect does long term abscesses have on the body?

FAIZZY,

THE EFFECT OF A LONG-STANDING ABSCESS IS THAT A NEST OF INFECTION WHICH THE IMMUNE DEFENSES OF THE BODY MUST DEAL WITH SLOWLY LEAKS OUT INFECTED BLOOD THOROUGH THE BODY.
THE LONG TERM EFFECTS ARE THAT THE INFECTION WILL IMPACT OTHER ORGANS IN THE BODY. MANY TIMES PROBLEMS OCCUR IN THE LIVER, LUNGS, KIDNEY, BRAIN, AND ELSEWHERE.
ABSCESSES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO KILL PEOPLE DUE TO THE SERIOUS INFECTIONS THEY CAUSE.
AN ABSCESS IS NOTHING TO PLAY WITH. IT MUST BE ATTENDED TO A.S.A.P.

Gangrene and removal of the affected area

It will just keep growing then bursting then fill up again with puss an burst an sow on but every time it burst the hole will get bigger you could end up with a massive hole were it is ., go the doctor's an get it sorted .

As this is in the Dental bit of the site, I presume it either is a dental question or if in the wrong section what it says.
OK
Dental: Will heal with antibiotics.
Body: Very likely cause blood poisoning first but if left untreated, serious risk of more complications.
If on feet, as one of the answers says possible gangrene and amputation.

I assume you mean dental abcesses. The area in question will have bone loss, including the teeth and jaw. The bacteria will easily get into the blood stream, and then can go anywhere in the body. They can attack the heart--cardiomyopathy--and then you can die. General septicemia is also possible. Strokes from this septic condition are also possible.

If you mean dental abcess...Suppose you've seen the story about the boy that died from a 'toothache'. (was on the web and news). He didn't die from the toothache. He died from long term infection. Caused by an infected tooth. It actually got into his sinuses and then his brain. Could go the other way too...could get into jaw itself..and throughout body, again very unlikely with reg. dental care.

So...I guess this is def. the worst case scenario. BUT, it is also very unlikely if you receive regular dental care. No one should ever die from a tooth infection in this day and age. (according to the article it had actually gone on for years)

Here is a link with a copy of the article. (the msn one with pic. seems to be missing now)http://www.nhchc.org/toothache.pdf