First Signs of an Infection

🦠 First Signs of an Infection

Early symptoms often vary depending on the type of infection (bacterial, viral, fungal), but common warning signs include:

1. Fever or chills – the body raising temperature to fight off pathogens.

2. Fatigue or weakness – feeling unusually tired.

3. Localized pain or swelling – e.g., sore throat, ear pain, or a wound that becomes red/swollen.

4. Redness or warmth – often around the area of infection.

5. Discharge or pus – in skin or wound infections.

6. Gastrointestinal changes – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea if the infection affects the gut.

7. Respiratory symptoms – coughing, shortness of breath, or congestion for respiratory infections.

Red flags (need urgent care):

• Rapidly rising fever

• Severe pain

• Confusion or disorientation

• Difficulty breathing

• Signs of spreading infection (red streaks on skin, swelling spreading quickly)

If you want, I can make a quick chart of the earliest infection signs by body system, so it’s easy to spot the warning signs early.