Infections Following Car Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a Woodland personal injury lawyer. An auto accident is a devastating event, but many people don’t realize that the effects (and potential injuries) extend far past what is clearly visible at the time of the accident. In many cases, even where everything might seem okay at first (and no one seems to be injured), symptoms can appear later that can indicate infections, which if left untreated, can become very serious.
Infection Can Be Particularly Serious For Children
This is an especially distinct possibility for children, whose immune systems are not yet fully developed and thus are more prone to infection following traumatic events. Therefore, it is important to understand the symptoms of infections so that you know how to recognize them after an accident occurs and then seek the proper medical attention for yourself or your children.
How Do Symptoms of Infection Present in Children
One type of infection that can result after an accident occurs, stems from internal bleeding, which is a significant problem on its own. Injuries sustained during an accident aren’t always visible on the outside, and in some cases organs may be punctured or tissues may be torn inside your body, causing bleeding that you can’t see but leads to negative consequences. One such consequence is infection, which may manifest as swelling, fever and abdominal pain. The scariest part is that internal bleeding may not be noticed for hours or even days, giving enough time for infections to develop. If you recognize any of the symptoms of infection — as well as other symptoms of internal bleeding, including deep bruising, dizziness and fainting — seek medical help immediately.
More commonly a child will experience an infection at the impacted area. Your child could experience an abrasion that gets infected sometime after the accident. Likewise infections can be a complication of injuries such as a broken bone.
Children can also get infections as a side effect of some treatments. This could occur if your child requires placement of pins or rods following a fracture. Your child could also get an infection known as c. difficile as a side effect from antibiotics. This is generally noticed because your child begins to experience diarrhea.
Infections Can Sometimes Be Harder To Diagnose in Kids
This can be even more difficult when it comes to children, as they are not as good at expressing how they feel as adults are. That’s why it’s important to be very persistent and specific with them if they are older — ask them what they feel, where they feel it and how bad it is.
If your child is very young, look for the symptoms described above and try to determine whether your child needs medical help yourself. Infections can develop as the result of injuries or trauma in almost any area of the body, but particularly in their abdomen, so look out for warning signs in this region. If you are at all concerned your child has symptoms of infection make sure that you get them checked out by your doctor.
Woodland Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, and I’m a Woodland personal injury lawyer. If you have been seriously hurt in an accident, please call me at (530) 392-9400 for free, friendly advice. I also may be contacted at my toll-free number at (800) 404-5400.
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