Wound infection (the entrance of bacteria into a physical or surgical wound causing an infection)
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Emergent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
- Excessive bleeding from the wound site
- Opening in a suture line of a wound
| Yes |
No |
Seek Immediate Medical Attention!
These symptoms can be life-threatening. |
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| An antibiotic may be prescribed by your Health Care Provider to prevent a wound infection or to treat one which has already occurred
It may be necessary to cleanse the infected wound with peroxide and water several times a day
A rim of pinkness or redness around the edge of the wound or the ridge along the wound area can be normal |
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Urgent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
- Signs of infection: redness,swelling, pain and/or discharge
- Red Streaks extending outward from a wound
- Individual is elderly,or has a history of HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes,circulatory problems
- Individual is taking immunosuppresive drugs or long term steroids
| Yes |
No |
Contact Your Health Care Provider. |
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Self-Management - You can help in the following ways:
- To prevent a wound infection:
- Keep wound clean and dry
- Wash wound and surrounding area with antibacterial soap and water
- Apply antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin,Bacitracin) to wound
- Apply a dressing over the wound for 2 days, then expose to air
- Take acetaminophen (Tyleno) or ibuprofen (Advil) for discomfort if there is no reason to the contrary (allergies, medical history,current medications,etc.)
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