Cuts and wounds – what if they are infected? Even when they seem small, superficial and do not require stitches, they could lead to serious consequences if not treated properly, especially when infected with bacteria such as staphylococci or streptococci

Infection: symptoms to recognise infected wounds

To understand if a wound is infected, it is necessary to recognise and check for certain symptoms such as swelling, redness, localised heat (the cut is warmer than the surrounding areas) and the presence of pus.

In severe cases, the infection limited to the wound spreads to the whole body, becoming systemic and causing fever.

Nausea and diarrhoea may also be indicators that the infection has spread from the localised wound to other systems in the body, primarily the gastrointestinal system.

The first thing to do in such cases is to keep the cut clean, disinfect it and cover it with sterile gauze and an adhesive bandage, a dressing that should be changed daily.

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Cuts and infected wounds: the use of antibiotics

When wounds become infected, in addition to dressing, it is inevitable to seek medical attention to avoid worsening the situation and the spread of infection.

In most cases, the doctor will prescribe the use of antibiotics to fight the infection and eliminate it.

There are several antibiotics available, which act differently depending on the bacteria they are intended to fight.

In some cases, in order to figure out the most appropriate drug and identify the bacteria that caused the infection, the doctor may swab the wound and send the swab for bacteriological culture tests.

If these tests are negative, antibiotics will not be necessary.

Read Also:

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Cuts And Wounds: When To Call An Ambulance Or Go To The Emergency Room?

Source:

Humanitas