Post-operative infection
Post-Operative Infections: How to Prevent and Manage Them
Post-operative infections can lead to serious complications and extended recovery times following surgery. They can cause severe pain, slow down healing, and even lead to a secondary infection. To minimize your risk of post-operative infections, it’s important to understand how they occur and the measures you can take to prevent or minimize their effects.
What is a Post-operative Infection?
A post-operative infection is a bacterial infection that occurs in or near the surgical wound following surgery. It can be caused by bacteria that were present in your body before the surgery, bacteria that were present in the operating room or tissues during surgery, or bacteria that traveled into your body following surgery.
Causes of Post-operative Infections
- Pre-existing bacteria in the body and on the skin.
- Bacteria present in the environment of the operating room.
- Improperly sterilized medical instruments.
- Unsterile technique during surgery.
- Inadequate wound dressing.
- Abscess, open surgical wounds, or inadequately stitched incisions can allow bacteria to enter the body.
Risk Factors
The following factors may put you at a higher risk for developing a post-operative infection:
- Immune system deficiency.
- Recent antibiotic use.
- A longer surgical procedure.
- History of infection.
- Significant blood loss.
- Having diabetes or another chronic illness.
- Living in a nursing home or having a weakened immune system.
- Using a foreign material or device during the surgery.
Types of Post-operative Infections
- Surgical site infection.
- Bone or joint infection.
- Uterine infection.
- Pulmonary infection.
- Urinary tract infection.
- Bloodstream infection.
- IV line infection.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common signs and symptoms of a post-operative infection include:
- Fever or an increased body temperature.
- Pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the wound.
- Discharge from the wound.
- Chills.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- A feeling of being unwell.
How to Prevent Post-operative Infections
Post-operative infections can be prevented if proper precautions are taken before, during, and after surgery. To reduce your risk of infection, ask your doctor about pre-operative antibiotics and follow their instructions.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions for care before and after surgery.
- Clean the incision area with soap and water before and after surgery.
- Keep the wound clean and dry.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables to boost your immune system.
- Avoid activities that may cause further trauma to the wound.
- Follow the instructions for taking antibiotics.
- Notify your doctor immediately if you experience any signs or symptoms of infection.
Treatment
Treatment for a post-operative infection usually involves antibiotics and other medications to help relieve symptoms and speed up healing. Your doctor may also recommend rest, elevation (for extremities), warm compresses, and other treatments to reduce inflammation and pain.
Post-operative infections can be serious, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you experience any symptoms. By taking the necessary precautions and following your doctor’s instructions, you can help reduce your risk of developing a post-operative infection.