Wound Infections
What is it?
A wound infection is a damaged skin area where pathogens have entered the open tissue. The infection triggers the body's immune response, causing inflammation and tissue damage and slowing the healing process.
What are the symptoms?
Pain
Redness
Swelling increases over time
A warm area around the wound
Yellow or green discharge from the wound
Foul odour from the wound
Red streaks surround the wound
Chills
Fever
Aches and pains
Nausea and vomiting
Wounds that are infected may not heal or get worse instead of better
Transmission
A wound can become infected when the skin is broken and penetrated by contaminating microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi. This can occur through touching, scratching, infected droplets entering the wound, poor hygiene, etc. Contaminating microbes trigger the body's immune system, inflaming damaged tissue and impairing healing.
Common bacteria that may cause a wound infection:
Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Escherichia coli (E. Coli)
Proteus mirabilis
Acinetobacter baumannii/haemolyticus
Streptococcus
Diagnosis
Diagnosing a wound infection is done by assessing local or systemic symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of microorganism present, your Doctor may recommend that you collect a wound swab for microbiological testing. Microbiological testing can determine if antibiotics are needed and which is most effective against the infection.