Wound infection occurs when microorganisms invade a wound and proliferate to a level that triggers a local or systemic response in the host.¹ When the skin's protective barrier is breached, bacteria can enter and disrupt the wound healing process. The increased presence of bacteria leads to a persistent inflammatory state, as white blood cells continuously attempt to remove the microorganisms.¹ This process can overwhelm the host's immune response, compromising the wound's cellular balance by competing for oxygen and nutrients and creating a barrier to healing. 

This microlearn provides an overview of wound infections and addresses common risk factors, clinical diagnosis of infection, and management strategies to put infected wounds on a healing trajectory.