Wound infections can spread, become life-threatening
UCI Health Regional Burn Center medical director discusses warning signs
IN THE NEWS: It’s important that wounds, including cuts and scrapes are immediately cleaned with soap and water to prevent infection. Applying pressure to wounds can help to stop bleeding although in some cases, stiches might be needed.
Dr. Syed F. Saquib, medical director of the UCI Health Regional Burn Center, spoke to WebMD about when to seek medical treatment for an infected wound.
“If there is indeed an infection, antibiotics may be necessary. If you don’t seek timely care for an infected wound, it can spread and, in extreme cases, become life-threatening.”
Signs of infection include discharge, swelling and a fever of 101 degrees or more.
Always cover an open wound with a clean bandage. Most minor cuts and scrapes will feel better in a few days.
Saquib is a trauma surgeon and an associate professor in the Department of Surgery at the UC Irvine School of Medicine.
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,317-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Medical Center, its flagship hospital in Orange, Calif., the UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).