OTHER LIFE-THREATENING EVENTS WITH MAJOR BURNS The immune system and infection

OTHER LIFE-THREATENING EVENTS WITH MAJOR BURNS The immune system and infection

The inflammatory changes caused by the burn have an e ff ect on the patient’s immune system. Cell-mediated immunity is significantly reduced in large burns, leaving them more potential sources of infection, primarily from the burn wound and from the lung if this is injured, but also from any central venous lines, tracheostomies or urinary catheters present.