What condition signals the need for urgent care due to potential systemic involvement?
Answer
Red streaks tracking up the arm or leg from the injury site (lymphangitis).
While many signs of worsening infection warrant a prompt medical consultation, the appearance of red streaks traveling along the limb from the wound site indicates a severe, advanced progression known as lymphangitis. This symptom signifies that the infection has breached local containment and is actively moving through the lymphatic system, posing a serious risk of entering the bloodstream and causing sepsis. Additionally, signs of systemic illness like fever, chills, or nausea must also prompt immediate urgent care, as these confirm the body-wide impact of the invading pathogen.
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