Which sign most strongly indicates a wound infection?

• A. Increased redness around the wound
• B. Clear serous drainage
• C. Absence of odor
• D. Warmth and swelling around the wound

Answer: (D)

When a wound becomes infected, the body mounts an inflammatory response that increases blood flow and fluid leakage into the tissue, producing heat (warmth) and swelling. These local signs reflect active immune activity at the site and are the most reliable indicators of infection among common wound-age signs.

Increased redness can occur with normal healing and irritation, not necessarily infection. Clear serous drainage suggests healing rather than infection. Absence of odor makes infection less likely, though odor can be present with some infections. Therefore warmth and swelling best signal an infection, as they demonstrate the active inflammatory process in the tissue.