Signs & Symptoms

• A wound infection may cause a rapid heart rate and a high body temperature. The area may also be painful, hot, red and have a yellowish-white fluid, or pus, coming from the wound.
  
  

Diagnosis

• It is important to correctly diagnose a wound infection. This may be done through blood tests, imaging tests, such as CT scan and MRI, or by performing a culture of the site.
  
  

Treatment

• Treatment ultimately depends on which bacterium is causing the infection. All wounds should be thoroughly cleaned and any pus should be drained. Antibiotics may be necessary.
  
  

Risk Factors

• Some things make people more susceptible to wound infections. Immune system disorders, cancer, diabetes and paralysis decrease the body's ability to heal itself. An injury caused by a foreign object, such as a nail or piece or glass, also raises the chance of infection.
  
  

Complications

• It is possible for wound infections to cause more widespread damage to the body. Infection may eventually cause the death of surrounding tissues, spread to the bloodstream or cause septic shock.