From childhood, we learn about what a wound is. Small children knock down their knees to blood, adults can easily get hurt with sharp objects, people in military professions can get a bullet wound. In some, everything heals easily and simply, while in others, a wound infection may begin to develop. What kind of infection is it, what are the causes and its symptoms, how is the diagnosis made and what is the peculiarity of the treatment, we will consider further.
Description of wound infection
First of all, a few words about what a wound is. This is a violation of the integrity of the skin of the body as a result of external violence. Wounds can be:
- Superficial.
- Deep.
- Penetrating.
If a wound of any origin, except those obtained as a result of surgical intervention, accidentally appears on the body, it is already primarily contaminated with microbes. Surgical wounds are considered aseptic because they are applied to the body with sterile instruments, under sterile conditions. If the rules of asepsis and antiseptics are not followed , or if a sterile dressing has not been applied to the wound in a timely manner, a secondary infection may be introduced.
Several factors influence how random a wound is infected with microbes:
- The conditions in which the wound is received.
- The nature of the weapon with which it is applied.
Wound infection is the result of the development of pathogenic microflora in the wound cavity, that is, there is a complication of the wound process. In case of accidental wounds, infection occurs as a result of primary contamination, this is facilitated by the untimely application of a sterile dressing or improper treatment of the wound. As for surgical wounds, the infection here is usually secondary, due to the weakened state of the patient's body, or nosocomial infection.
The causative agents of wound infection
The most common pathogen of wound infection is staphylococcus.
Much less common:
- Proteus.
- E. coli.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Tetanus.
- Gangrene.
Types of wound infection
Depending on which microbes get into the wound and how the process develops, wound infection can be of the following types:
- Purulent wound infection. Its causative agents are staphylococci, E. coli, streptococci and many others. Microbes of this kind are in the air, in pus, on objects. If it enters the body and subject to the presence of a favorable environment, an acute purulent disease can develop. Infection of the wound surface with such bacteria will not only lead to suppuration, but will also contribute to the spread of infection further.
- Anaerobic wound infection. The causative agents are microbes of tetanus, gangrene, malignant edema, and bacilli. The location of such pathogens is, first of all, land, especially fertilized with manure. Therefore, soil particles in the wound are the most dangerous, since the development of anaerobic infection is possible.
- Specific infection. The causative agents are Leffer's bacillus and hemolytic streptococcus. Such an infection can be introduced with mucus, saliva, from the air, from tissues in contact with the wound, during a conversation, by airborne droplets.
- Endogenous infection. Microbes that are in the patient’s body itself can get into the wound with or after surgery. The infection spreads through the blood vessels. Surgical wound infections can be prevented. It is necessary to properly treat the skin with antiseptic solutions, as well as hands and tools before surgery.
Classification of wound infection
In addition to which pathogen provoked a wound infection, several more forms are isolated. Wound infection can be of general form and local. The first is the most difficult. Sepsis develops, it can be with or without metastases. The danger of death is very high. And to local forms include:
- Wound infection. There is a clear line between living and damaged tissue. The reason is low resistance to infections.
- Abscess near orange. It has a capsule that is connected to the wound and is separated from healthy tissues.
- Phlegmon. The infection goes beyond the wound and has the ability to spread.
- Purulent numbness. It develops as a result of poor drainage. Pus collects and spreads in the tissues.
- Fistulas. The wound surface is already tightened, and an infectious focus remains inside.
- Thrombophlebitis. The infection spreads to the blood clot, as the complication then goes to the veins.
- Lymphangitis and lymphadenitis. The consequences of wound complications. For treatment, rehabilitation of the main focus of infection is necessary.
It is worth knowing: for the infection to appear and be able to develop, a favorable environment and many other factors are necessary. We will talk about this later.
Causes of Wound Infection
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of an infectious process in a wound:
- Violation and non-compliance with aseptic treatment of wounds.
- Non-sterile dressing.
- Lack of outflow from the wound.
- A feature of surgery on hollow organs, such as the large intestine.
- The presence of chronic infections in the body (tonsillitis, pyelonephritis, diseased teeth).
- The degree of contamination of the wound.
- The amount of damaged tissue.
- The immune status of the body.
- The presence of foreign bodies in the wound, blood clots, necrotic tissue.
- Large depth of damage.
- Poor blood supply to damaged tissues.
- The presence of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, leukemia, obesity, malignant tumors.
Wound infection begins to activate if the number of microbes in the wound begins to exceed a critical level - this is 100 thousand microorganisms per 1 mm of tissue. This is an indicator for a healthy person, but if a person is sick, then the critical level can be much lower.
What are the symptoms of a wound infection?
How to recognize that a wound infection is taking place? Here are a few symptoms of its manifestation:
- Fever.
- Redness of the skin around the wound.
- On palpation, a sensation of pain occurs around the wound.
- Edema.
- The presence of discharge from the wound.
- Feeling of bursting pain, throbbing in the wound.
- Purulent formations.
- Bad smell.
- Wounds heal very slowly.
- Pale granulation in the wound that bleeds.
- General intoxication of the body, loss of appetite.
The presence of such signs and symptoms always suggests that there is an anaerobic wound infection. It can develop 3-7 days after receiving the wound. In order to prescribe effective treatment, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis.
Diagnosis of wound infection
Of course, even visually visible in appearance, secretions, smell, that wound infection is progressing. But in order to prescribe an effective treatment, it is necessary to establish which bacteria caused the infection process. To do this, take a smear from the wound. In this case, you must adhere to several rules:
- The material must be taken from the deep sections of the wound in sufficient quantities.
- It is taken before antibiotics are used.
- Material must be delivered to the laboratory within 2 hours.
After conducting research and identifying bacteria, treatment is prescribed. About it further.
How to treat a wound infection
It is very important not to leave wound infections without therapy. The treatment of such pathologies consists in surgical intervention and in the appointment of effective antimicrobial agents. Prescribing pain medication is also possible.
Surgical intervention is:
- Wide opening of an infected wound.
- Thorough washing and sanitation of the wound cavity.
- Excision of dead tissue.
- Drainage of purulent areas.
Further, regular treatment of the wound with antiseptics is required.
The doctor prescribes antibiotics taking into account the specifics of diseases, sensitivity to established bacteria, their interaction with other drugs, as well as the effect of the drug on the patient's body.
It is also necessary to use antiseptics for washing wounds with extreme caution, since the solution is absorbed and can cause complications if it is intolerant. They should not cause pain. It is necessary to monitor the body's response to the prolonged use of antiseptics. In some cases, the healing process slows down.
Be careful: self-medication can make your health worse!
For better wound healing, it is recommended to strengthen and stimulate the immune system and protect the affected area from accidental damage.
Preventive actions
Prevention of wound infection is as follows:
- Increasing the activity of immunity, the protective functions of the body.
- Exercise caution to avoid personal injury.
- Immediate treatment of the wound with an antiseptic and the application of a sterile dressing.
- Deep wounds, defects in the skin and mucous membranes should be examined by a doctor, traumatologist and surgeon.
- Before first aid, wash hands, treat with alcohol.
- Timely treatment of chronic diseases.
Tetanus - a complication of the wound process
The causative agent of tetanus is anaerobic spore bacillus. It easily penetrates through any skin lesions and damaged mucous membranes. The danger is that it affects the nervous system.
In our country, preventive vaccination against tetanus is supposed to be done. Even if the patient suffered this disease, immunity to it is not developed - vaccination is periodically necessary.
To prevent tetanus, patients with severe tissue damage are given tetanus immunoglobulin or serum.
A prophylactic vaccination against tetanus guarantees that when a skin is damaged, a person will not get tetanus.
Take care of yourself, strengthen your immune system and do not get injured. And a wound infection will never bother you.