What are common signs of infection in a wound?

• A. Redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, and delayed healing
• B. Itching
• C. Redness only
• D. Swelling without redness or fever

Answer: (A)

Infection in a wound typically triggers an inflammatory response that shows up as a cluster of signs: redness and warmth around the wound from increased blood flow, swelling from fluid and immune cells, and discharge such as pus as bacteria and immune cells work to clear the infection. If the infection is stronger or spreading, you may also develop fever, and the healing process tends to be delayed because the bacteria disrupt normal tissue repair. Itching is not a reliable sign of infection and more often points to irritation or an allergic reaction. Redness by itself or swelling without redness or fever doesn’t strongly indicate infection, since those could come from non-infectious inflammation or irritation; the combination of several signs is what points toward an infection.