Managing wound infection

Wound infection can delay wound healing. The severity of the infection depends upon the immune status of the host and the virulence of the micro-organism and infection may remain localised or develop into a spreading infection that induces a systemic response.

The presence of specific local and systemic signs and symptoms help nurses and other clinicians to make a clinical diagnosis of wound infection. Treatment of wound infection involves optimising the host immune system, wound cleansing and debridement, and applying antimicrobial dressings that lower the bioburden in the wound bed.

Definition of infection

Infection is defined as: 'The presence of multiplying organisms that overwhelm the body's immune system'.¹