What Exactly Is Pus?
Pus is also known aspurulentdrainage.
It is a general term for the thick, often white fluid that collects at the source of aninfection.
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Pus can occur around many types of infections, but it can be especially concerning after surgery.
Drainage that appears in an incision may be a sign of infection, but not all drainage is pus.
Still, it can be an alarming thing to see at yoursurgical incision.
This article discusses pus in surgical incisions.
It also looks at the ways post-surgical infection is treated.
The white blood cells help stop the germs from infecting more tissue.
Pus is a byproduct of this process.
When you see pus, it means your body is working to fight an infection.
Still, it’s never a good thing when a wound becomes infected.
Pus is usually white or a yellow-white color.
Sometimes it can be greenish, blood-tinged, blue, or in rare cases even brown.
It can also have a foul odor.
Pus appears in a surgical incision when it is becoming infected.
It’s a sign that you need further treatment.
Surgical infections can become serious quickly, so if you see pus call your surgeon at once.
An infection that spreads and reaches the bloodstream is called sepsis.Sepsis can become life-threatening.
This is normal and should decrease over the following days to weeks as the wound heals.
Most surgical wound infections occur within the first 30 days after surgery.
Abscesses Explained
Some infections only produce a small amount of pus.
In others, there may be significant buildup.
Anabscesshappens when drainage does not leak out.
Abscesses can appear almost anywhere in the human body.Acne whiteheads are examples of very small abscesses.
Pus can be found in large amounts when an abscess is severe or goes untreated.
Instead, tell your surgeon that there is an infection at the surgical site.
Don’t clean it or give a shot to remove the pus.
The surgeon may need to swab the site.
You may need antibiotics, a change in your wound care regimen, or both.
Don’t scrub or use harsh cleansers, which can irritate the wound.
If it’s too harsh for a baby’s skin, don’t use it.
Normal surgical drainage is thin, clear, and does not smell.
You should also contact your provider if you develop other signs of infection, like increasing pain or fever.
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