What You Need To Know About Wound Infection

A wound infection is unpleasant, painful, and can lead to serious health consequences if not treated correctly.  Infections occur when bacteria enter the body through torn skin following an injury or surgery. An infected wound is potentially dangerous, so getting prompt medical treatment is important. To avoid complications be sure to see a doctor to get the best possible wound care for your specific circumstances.

Signs And Symptoms Of An Infected Wound

After an accident or surgery, it’s not difficult to know if you have a wound infection. Symptoms will vary from person to person and depending on the injury or surgery you have received. However, the main symptoms are redness around the wound, swelling and pain, and in some cases oozing pus.

Nurse providing nursing care to avoid wound infection

Symptoms may be more pronounced if you are diabetic, elderly or have a weak immune system. With deep open wounds that are infected you may also be in shock, and have nausea, fatigue, and/or a fever.

A severely infected, non-healing wound may be oozing pus with an unpleasant odor. Don’t ignore such symptoms and be sure to get urgent treatment and care as soon as possible.

When To Seek Medical Assistance For Wound Infection

All open wounds need immediate medical attention to prevent infection and promote the natural healing process. If an accident has caused anything but the most superficial open wound you should seek medical advice straight away. A doctor will assess the wound and treat it promptly to avoid a wound infection. This will involve cleansing the wound and dressing it to reduce the risk of infection.

Any delay in getting prompt medical assistance in such cases increases the risk of the wound becoming infected. This is particularly important if you are diabetic or suffer from conditions such as poor circulation, varicose veins, or obesity. Such conditions might slow down the natural healing process. Based on your circumstances, the doctor may advise a tetanus booster or other medication, including antibiotics.

Avoid Complications

If a wound becomes infected it can be very painful, but worse still, the infection can spread. If unchecked, an infected wound can lead to gangrene, sepsis, tetanus, cellulitis, secondary impetigo and even amputation. To avoid such complications, it’s vital to get prompt professional treatment and care.

The information above is only for education purpose. Make sure that you see a doctor if you have an infected wound. Fairview Rehab & Nursing Home in Queens NY provides top-class wound care, IV therapy and other services for adults and seniors. Our skilled, licensed nurses have lots of experience in treating abrasions, lacerations, and puncture wounds, among others. You can rest assured that from wound cleansing to dressings and medication, you will be in good hands at Fairview if you have a wound infection.

This article contains informational and educational materials and does not replace health or medical advice. For questions or concerns regarding your medical condition or health objectives, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.