What do increased temperatures at an injury site indicate?

Increased temperatures at an injury site are primarily indicative of inflammation. Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury, infection, or harmful stimuli, and it typically manifests through redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. The elevation in temperature occurs due to increased blood flow to the area as part of the healing process; this influx of blood brings immune cells and nutrients to assist in repairing the damaged tissue.

While elevated temperature can also occur with infections, inflammation itself is a broader and more immediate response that can occur regardless of the presence of a bacterial or viral pathogen. Thus, increased temperature alone doesn't confirm an infection—it may simply indicate that the body's inflammatory processes are actively addressing the injury.