What signs indicate a wound infection that warrants referral?

• A. Redness, swelling, fever; refer if infection signs appear.
• B. Slight redness without fever.
• C. Itching only.
• D. Bleeding that stops quickly.

Answer: (A)

Recognize when a wound shows signs that infection may be present and needs professional evaluation. Redness and swelling indicate the local inflammatory response to microbes, and fever signals a systemic response. When these signs appear together, there’s a higher likelihood of infection that should be assessed by a clinician to prevent progression, ensure proper wound care, and address potential complications like cellulitis.

Slight redness without fever can be a normal part of healing or irritation and isn’t definitive for infection. Itching alone points more toward irritation or an allergic reaction rather than an infection. Bleeding that stops quickly is a typical part of initial wound care and does not by itself indicate infection.