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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Infected wounds

When a wound becomes infected, it will need very careful monitoring and handling. If not treated corrects the wound may become increasingly infected, spreading to a larger and larger area of the body. An infected around can also lead to poisoning of the bloodstream, a serious condition known as septicaemia. Bites, whether inflicted by a human or a dog, cat or other animal, are all likely to cause infection unless the site of the wound has been professionally cleaned and treated. The person will often need to take antibiotics.

Sometimes a wound becomes infected despite having been cleaned and dressed correctly, and kept clean and dry. Certain types of wound are prone to infection bites, for example, and particularly human or cat bites. lf there is a lot of blood under a wound and this is not cleared out and its reappearance prevented, or if a wound is deep and dirty, then infection is more likely.

Some people are more vulnerable to infection. These include those with diabetes, those with a compromised immune system (due to drugs or illness), and alcoholics.

There are usually many warning signs that a wound has become infected, giving plenty of time for it to be treated with antibiotics and drainage if necessary.

Signs of infection

You may notice the first signs of infection in and around a wound within hours but it frequently times longer to manifest itself. The infection may not surface until a day or two after the injury when the casualty may have more or less forgotten the injury.

Pain, redness, tenderness and swelling are all signs of infection. The casualty may also experience fever and notice pus oozing from the wound.

Spreading infection

Infection may spread under the skin (cellulitis) and/or into the bloodstream (septicaemia). Cellulitis may appear even without an obvious wound, and is often from an unsuspected insect bite.
If the wound is near a joint, infection may spread into the joint. This is particularly true of human bites on the knuckles - these may be "self-inflicted", occurring when someone aims a punch at someone's face and sustains a laceration to the knuckles from their victim's teeth. Some people, such as those with the disease osteoarthritis, may develop a joint infection with no actual wound.

You should suspect cellulitis if there is a spreading redness and swelling beyond the wound site. The glands in the armpits, neck or groins may be sore and tender, and there may be a red line going up the limb towards the glands.

Suspect septicaemia if the casualty feels unwell with a fever, thirst, shivering and lethargy. A joint infection may be present if the joint feels hot or swollen, or if it is exceedingly painful, especially with movement. All these conditions require medical treatment - as a first-aider, your priority is to recognize the likely symptoms and get the person professional medical assistance.

Wounds that are prone to infection

Any wound ban become infected, but certain kinds are more at risk:
Bite wounds: animal or human. Wounds/scratches from human nails or the claws of animals. Stab (penetrating) wounds.

Wounds sustained while working: in soil or manure; in or around waste or excrement; with animals.

Wounds from dirty tools or objects, such as garden Injuries or dirty nails in the foot while working on building sites. Wounds with embedded objects, especlaliy softwood splinters, grit and plant thorns.

First aid for infection

Cover the wound with a sterile bandage. Leave the surrounding area visible, so that you can monitor signs of spreading infection - vital information for the doctor.

Elevate and support the infected area if possible. For example, if a forearm is infected, the raised arm could be placed so that its elbow rests on some books topped with a sweater as cushioning. Get the casualty to a doctor as soon as possible.