Caregiver guides · 4 min read
Recognising Infection Early: Red Flags for Caregivers
Catching infection early is one of the most valuable things a home caregiver can do. Here are the signs that matter.
homenurse.sgGeneral care information, not personal medical advice. Draft — pending clinical review.
The general signs
Infection often shows up before anyone feels very unwell. Fever, feeling cold and shivery, new confusion in an older person, or simply 'not being themselves' can all be early signs worth taking seriously.
Around a wound or site
- Spreading redness, warmth, or swelling
- Pus or an offensive smell
- Increasing pain
With a catheter or line
- Cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody urine
- Redness or discharge where a line enters the skin
- Fever or chills
When in doubt, ask
You don't need to be certain to call for advice. Good providers would far rather answer an early question than see a problem discovered late. For severe symptoms, call 995 or go to the nearest A&E.