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	# Infection

	Any wound can become infected.

	## Signs of infection

	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

	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

	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

	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
	tetanus

	If the infection does not get better, it can spread through the
	blood. This is called sepsis.

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