How to Identify a Surgical Wound Infection

A surgical wound infection may occur following any type of surgical procedure. Actually, infections following surgery occur fairly frequently, depending on the type of surgery performed. Learning how to identify a surgical wound infection may help provide prompt treatment that prevents complications such as delayed healing processes, blood poisoning (commonly known as sepsis) and even chronic infection.Individuals of all ages may suffer from wound infections as a result of minor and major surgical procedures, but risks tend to increase with age as well as preexisting conditions and malnutrition.

Instructions

• 1

  Watch for any signs of redness around a surgical wound within 3 to 10 days following surgery. In some cases, signs of infection, including redness in surrounding tissues, may not become apparent for weeks. Periodically examine the surgical site until the healing process has ended.

• 2

  Sensations of pain are common in many surgical sites, but pain associated with infection may produce throbbing or intense, sharp pain. Such pain may also be accompanied by redness such as already mentioned, as well as a sensation of heat from the skin surrounding the wound area.

• 3

  Examine the wound carefully for signs of pus or collection of fluids around the surgical site. Pus may be a white-yellowish-tinge, or even discolored. Often, an infected wound will emit a strong, unpleasant odor.

• 4

  Watch for signs of red streaks leaving the wound site and traveling away from the incision. These streaks are definite signs that infection is traveling through the blood stream. Treatment for infections generally involves the use of antibiotics.

• 5

  Take the temperature of the patient. In most cases, infection will be accompanied by mild to moderate temperatures. When left untreated, it may rise to dangerous levels. Fever may or may not be accompanied by chills.