Which of the following is an example of a local infection?

A local infection is characterized by the presence of pathogens confined to a specific area of the body, leading to localized symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain. An abscess is a clear example of a local infection because it represents a collection of pus that occurs in a specific part of the body, typically resulting from bacterial infection. The body’s immune response leads to the formation of pus, which contains dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue debris, differentiating it from systemic infections where the pathogens circulate throughout the body, affecting multiple systems or organs.

In contrast, viral infections can affect various parts of the body and are not limited to just one localized area, making them not representative of a local infection. Systemic infections, by definition, involve widespread infections that impact the entire body, as opposed to being confined to a localized site. Bacterial infections are broad and can be classified as either local or systemic depending on their spread, but not all bacterial infections lead to localized symptoms or abscess formation. Therefore, an abscess is the most fitting example of a local infection due to its defined area of occurrence and the characteristic symptoms associated with it.