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       # Infection
       
       Any wound can become infected.
       
       ## Signs of infection
       
       The wound is infected if it:
       
       * becomes swollen, red, and hot
       * has pus
       * begins to smell bad
       
       The infection is spreading to other parts of the body if:
       
       * it causes fever
       * the lymph nodes become swollen and tender
       
       ## Lymph nodes
       
       Lymph nodes--often called 'glands'--are little traps for germs that
       form small lumps under the skin when they get infected.  Swollen
       lymph nodes mean infection.
       
 (IMG) Lymph nodes
       
       The 5 locations of lymph nodes:
       
       * Below the jaw means infection of the teeth or throat.
       * Behind the ear means an infection on the head or scalp, often
         caused by sores or lice.  Or German measles (rubella) may be the
         cause.
       * Below the ear and on the neck means infection of the ear, face,
         or head.  Or it could be tuberculosis.
       * In the armpit means an infection of the arm, head, or breast.  Or
         sometimes breast cancer.
       * In the groin means an infection of the leg, foot, genitals, or
         anus.
       
       ## Treatment for infection
       
       Clean the wound well.  You may need to open an abscess or remove
       stitches.  Unless the infected area is small, shows no signs of
       infection and is healing quickly, it is usually wise to give
       antibiotics.  Give dicloxacillin, cephalexin, OR clindamycin.  A
       person who is not up-to-date with tetanus vaccinations needs a
       vaccination and, if the wound is deep, also an injection of
       antitetanus immunoglobulin.
       
 (DIR) antibiotics
 (DIR) tetanus
       
       If the infection does not get better, it can spread through the
       blood.  This is called sepsis.
       
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