Infected surgical wound (surgical site infection)

Overview

Signs usually show up 3 to 10 days after surgery: more redness, warmth, swelling, pain, or pus.

Diabetes, smoking, and obesity raise the risk.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Red, painful incision
• Red, warm, swollen skin

Less common

• Pus
• Fever

Look up a symptom: Fever

When to get medical care

Causes

Bacteria.

Who is more likely to get it

• Diabetes
• Smoking

Possible complications

• Cellulitis

Diagnosis

Your surgeon examines.

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Culture:

Treatment

Call your surgeon.

Self-care

• Keep wound clean
• Wash hands

Medicines

Medicines that may help:

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

Prevention

• Handwashing

Which doctor treats this

• Urgent care or the ER can treat it first. For minor problems, your primary care provider can help.
• They may send you to an infectious disease specialist, for hard-to-treat infections.

Back to school, work, or sports

• Stay home until you've had no fever for 24 hours without fever medicine and you're feeling better.
• For the next 5 days, wash hands often and wear a mask around others.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• People with diabetes: Keep blood sugar controlled for healing.

Outlook

Treatable.

Most heal well with treatment.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

Questions to ask

• Does the wound need to be opened and drained?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Infected surgical wound (surgical site infection)