What are some common signs and symptoms of infection?

The presence of fever, redness, swelling, warmth, pain, and drainage are classic signs and symptoms of infection. Fever is a systemic response to infection, indicating the body’s immune system is activated to fight off pathogens. Redness and warmth typically result from increased blood flow to the affected area, reflecting the inflammatory response. Swelling frequently occurs due to accumulation of fluids and immune cells at the site of infection. Pain can arise from various mechanisms, including the release of inflammatory mediators and direct damage to tissues. Drainage, such as pus formation, often indicates the presence of infection and the body's effort to expel pathogens and dead cells. Collectively, these symptoms form a clear clinical picture of localized or systemic infection, making them critical for diagnosis and intervention in infection control practices.

Other choices, while they may indicate different health conditions or responses, do not provide the specific combination of signs typically associated with infection. For example, nausea, fatigue, and irritability can occur for various reasons but are not definitive indicators of infection.