Project Zomboid: How to Know If Infected

In the chaotic, undead-filled apocalypse of Project Zomboid, there’s one thing that makes every player’s stomach drop: a fresh wound. Was it from a zombie? Did it break the skin? Is my character infected? Project Zomboid doesn’t spell it out easily, but if you're not careful, your heroic survivor could be shambling around trying to bite their friends in just 48 hours.
This guide walks you through the exact steps on how to tell if infected Project Zomboid and gives you the know-how to stay alive longer—or at least die prepared.

Steps to Follow - How to Know If Infected

Step 1: Open the Medical Panel

Your first stop after a fight or accident? That medical panel. Hit the little heart icon on the left of your screen to get the full breakdown of your character's health.

This panel is your best friend—it’ll tell you where you're hurt, how badly, and what kind of injury you're dealing with. If you’re wondering how to know if you are infected Project Zomboid, this is where the answers start showing up.

Step 2- Check for Injuries

Once you're inside the medical panel, go limb by limb. Every part of your character's body can hold secrets, and you need to uncover them fast.
Here’s the danger scale:

[il]Scratches: 7% chance of infection. You might be fine… or not.[/li]
• Lacerations: 25% chance. Now that’s a bit more terrifying.
• Bitten: 100%. Game over. Don’t even try to sugarcoat it.

If it says “bitten,” then yeah… you’re pretty much doomed. That’s your confirmation that you’re officially infected Project Zomboid style.

But here’s the twist—injuries don’t always come from zombies. Falls, busted windows, tripping over fences, or just being clumsy can cause wounds too. So don’t immediately panic unless it explicitly says “bitten.”

Step 3- Look for Moodles

Next, check your moodles—the quirky little status icons that appear on the right side of your screen. They give you hints about your physical and emotional state.
Some moodles are harmless, but others? Big red flags. Keep an eye out for:

• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Fever
• Feeling sick
• Fatigue
• Heat flushes
• Depression

If these start showing up after a sketchy fight, there’s a good chance you’re infected Project Zomboid style. Basically, your body’s telling you something’s seriously wrong.

Step 4: Disinfect Wounds

If your injury wasn’t a bite, good news—you still have a shot at survival. But you’ll need to act fast.

Grab some disinfectant, alcohol wipes, or even whiskey, and clean the wound immediately.

This is your defense against a Project Zomboid infected wound. Disinfecting doesn’t work on zombie infection, but it does help prevent regular infection or worsening of scratches and lacerations.

The Consequences of Infection

Let’s be real—does bitten mean infected Project Zomboid players often ask. Yes. 100% yes.

Once the infection sets in, your fate is sealed. Within 48 in-game hours, your character’s going to start acting strange—worsening moodles, high fever, loss of appetite—and then die. You’ll lose control, and they’ll become one of the undead.

At that point, there’s no saving them. The best you can do is stash your gear, say your goodbyes, and maybe go out in a blaze of glory.

Prevention Tips

Let’s avoid all this trauma next time, yeah? Here are some solid tips to keep from getting Project Zomboid infected in the first place:

• Dress smart: Wear protective clothing like leather jackets, gloves, helmets—anything that adds layers between your skin and zombie teeth.
• Fight smart: Stay out of close combat when possible. Use long-reach weapons like spears, crowbars, or baseball bats. Let the zombies bite the air, not you.
• Stay healthy: Keep your character well-fed, well-rested, and clean. Poor hygiene weakens you and makes other infections more likely.
• Watch your step: Don’t get careless jumping out windows or sprinting through thick woods. Avoid unnecessary injuries altogether.
• Check yourself often: After every fight or stumble, go straight to the medical panel. Don’t wait for symptoms.

Wrapping Up

In Project Zomboid, survival isn’t just about smashing zombie heads—it’s about knowing when something’s gone wrong inside your own body. Understanding how to tell if you’re infected Project Zomboid can give you a couple more days, or even a fighting chance to prepare for the inevitable.

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