The invention provides a wound dressing or therapy compress (100) containing a fill material (108) permanently loaded with an antimicrobial silver. The dressing or compress comprises a flexible upper backing (104) and a lower shell (102) fastened to one another, and each of which comprises a synthetic fabric. The lower shell is fluid-permeable and is adapted to be placed in direct or covered contact with a wound or tissue to be treated. The backing may be either fluid permeable or non-permeable, as desired, to allow for the release or retention of moisture. The shell and backing are joined to one another to form a plurality of fill material enclosures (106) therebetween, each such fill material enclosure containing a zeolite fill material which is permanently loaded with antimicrobial silver. The presence of the silver within the fill material promotes a germ and microbial free environment approximate the shell and within the dressing or compress. So constructed, the dressing or compress may be used to cover and protect a wound while absorbing exudate, and may also provide and maintain a heated and/or a moist environment to promote the healing of wounds.
