When you have a loved one who is admitted to a nursing home, one of the saddest things you can find out is that they have bedsores, and due to neglect, their already painful bedsores are infected.

Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, may develop when a person remains in one position for an extended period, causing pressure that restricts blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues. Infection can cause further and potentially life-threatening complications for the patient.

How to identify infected bedsores

If your loved one’s bedsores are infected, some of the signs that you may notice include:

• Increased redness or warmth: The skin around the sore may become brighter red or feel unusually warm to the touch. This is often a sign of inflammation as the body attempts to fight off the infection. If the redness spreads or the warmth intensifies, it could indicate that the infection is worsening.
• Swelling: The infected area may get noticeably swollen as the body sends fluids and immune cells to fight the infection. This swelling can cause the tissue around the sore to become puffy, which can put more pressure on the surrounding skin and exacerbate the wound.
• Pus or foul-smelling drainage: As the infection progresses, the wound may start to discharge thick, yellow or greenish pus. The drainage may have a strong, unpleasant odor, which is a clear sign of bacterial infection. In severe cases, the discharge can become thick and may even seep through bandages.
• Increased pain: Pain around the bed sore can intensify as the infection spreads deeper into the tissue. The area may become tender to the touch, and your loved one may experience discomfort or aching, even without touching the wound. The pain may be a result of inflammation or nerve involvement as the infection progresses.
• Fever or chills: A systemic infection can cause a fever, which is the body’s natural response to fighting infection. If your loved one develops a fever or experiences chills, it could signal that the infection is spreading beyond the sore and affecting the body as a whole. 

If your loved one’s bedsores are infected, it may be a clear sign of nursing home neglect, and you may want to consider seeking legal guidance to help explore your options for holding the responsible parties accountable