Symptom Checker

An Infected Wound

An infected wound is a cut, scrape, puncture or other break in the skin that has developed a bacterial infection. The area may become increasingly red, warm, swollen, painful or begin draining pus.

Bacteria can enter through dirty wounds, bites, punctures, scratches and other breaks in the skin. Retained debris and poor wound healing can also contribute.

Call a nurse All symptoms

AAP Guide to An Infected Wound

The AAP guide below explains what wound infection looks like and when your child needs medical care.

AAP Symptom CheckerInfected wound

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When to see a doctor

Contact your pediatrician or another healthcare professional if:

Redness, warmth, swelling or pain keeps increasing.
Pus or bad-smelling drainage appears.
Red streaks spread away from the wound.
Your child develops fever or the wound begins opening again.

Call 911 or get emergency care if:

The infection spreads rapidly and your child appears severely ill.
Your child becomes confused, very weak or difficult to wake.
You think your child has a life-threatening emergency.

Talk to a nurse now, at any hour

Hours, addresses and directions

When can my child be seen

Be seen today.

Every office keeps same-day appointments for illness and injury.

This evening or at the weekend.

Most offices run After Hours Care, by appointment rather than walk-in.

If you are worried, call. We would rather answer a question that turns out to be nothing.

An Infected Wound

AAP Guide to An Infected Wound

When to see a doctor

Talk to a nurse now, at any hour

When can my child be seen

More on knocks, pain and injuries