Massachusetts State Board Esthetics Practice Exam

What type of infection is confined to a specific area of the body, often appearing as a lesion with pus?

1. Systemic infection

2. Local infection

3. Chronic infection

4. Acute infection

The correct answer is: Local infection

A local infection is characterized by being confined to a specific area of the body. This type of infection typically presents as a lesion that may contain pus, indicating the presence of bacteria or infectious agents that have caused localized inflammation and tissue damage. Common examples include abscesses or boils, which are often painful and can lead to swelling and redness in the affected area. In contrast, systemic infections spread throughout the body, affecting multiple organ systems and often requiring more extensive treatment. Chronic infections persist over a long period, sometimes even a lifetime, and may not always produce obvious symptoms. Acute infections arise rapidly and usually present with more severe symptoms in a short timeframe, but they can be either localized or systemic depending on their nature. Thus, the defining characteristic of a local infection is its confinement to a specific area, making it the correct answer.