!Infection
Any wound can become infected.
Signs of infection
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The wound is infected if it:
* becomes swollen, red, and hot
* has pus
* begins to smell bad
The infection is spreading to other parts of the body if:
* it causes fever
* the lymph nodes become swollen and tender
Lymph nodes
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Lymph nodes - often called 'glands' - are little traps for germs that form
small lumps under the skin when they get infected. Swollen lymph nodes mean
infection.
The 5 locations of lymph nodes:
* Below the jaw means infection of the teeth or throat.
* Behind the ear means an infection on the head or scalp, often caused by
sores or lice. Or German measles (rubella) may be the cause.
* Below the ear and on the neck means infection of the ear, face, or head. Or
it could be tuberculosis.
* In the armpit means an infection of the arm, head, or breast. Or sometimes
breast cancer.
* In the groin means an infection of the leg, foot, genitals, or anus.
Treatment for infection
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Clean the wound well. You may need to open an abscess or remove stitches.
Unless the infected area is small, shows no signs of infection and is healing
quickly, it is usually wise to give antibiotics. Give dicloxacillin,
cephalexin, OR clindamycin. A person who is not up-to-date with tetanus
vaccinations needs a vaccination and, if the wound is deep, also an injection
of antitetanus immunoglobulin.
If the infection does not get better, it can spread through the blood. This is
called sepsis.
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Hesperian Health Guides 1919 Addison St Ste 304 Berkeley CA 94704
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