How to Tell if a Wound is Infected

Posted: Sept. 1, 2005

There are many tools that you have at your disposal to determine if an infection is present. Does the wound appear red and swollen? Is there purulent drainage or a foul odor? Is the area around the wound warm to the touch as compared to nearby skin or skin on the opposite extremity? Is bone exposed (this could indicate osteomyelitis, which is an inflammation of the bone marrow caused by infection)?

In addition, there are many laboratory tests to determine whether an infectious process is occurring. These include: white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein, x-ray examination, deep tissue culture (not swab), nuclear medicine testing (gallium, technetium and indium scans) and blood cultures.

Their entire picture must be evaluated carefully. An abnormally high WBC without the clinical appearance of infection could indicate a false test, an infection occurring someplace else (such as a urinary tract infection) or another disease process altogether.

Source: Wound Care Information Network

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