Infection
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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.
Lymph nodes
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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.
antibiotics
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tetanus
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If the infection does not get better, it can spread through the
blood. This is called sepsis.
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