When toget medical help

Call NHS 111 or visit your local walk-in centre , minorinjuries unit or GP surgery ifthere's a riskyour wound could becomeinfected, or you think it'salready infected. Awound is atrisk of infectionif: it has been contaminated with dirt, pus or other bodily fluids there was something in the wound before it was cleaned, such as gravel or a shard of glass ithas a jagged edge it's longer than 5cm (2 inches) it was caused by an animal or human bite Signs a wound has become infected include: swelling, redness and increasingpain in the affected area pus forming in or aroundthe wound feeling generally unwell a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above swollen glands under the chin or in the neck, armpits or groin An infected wound can usually be successfully treated with a short course of antibiotics .