What are common symptoms of a bacterial infection?

The identification of fever, inflammation, pain, and pus formation as common symptoms of a bacterial infection is based on the immune response that the body elicits in reaction to bacterial pathogens. When bacteria invade the body, the immune system activates various defenses, often leading to systemic symptoms such as fever as the body tries to fight off the infection.

Inflammation is a localized response to infection, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which occurs as blood flow increases in response to the presence of the bacteria and the subsequent immune response. Pain often results from swelling and the release of inflammatory mediators that irritate nerve endings. Pus formation is specifically indicative of a bacterial infection, as it consists of dead bacteria, immune cells, and tissue debris that accumulate at the infection site.

In contrast, other symptoms provided in the options can occur due to various types of infections or conditions. For example, loss of appetite, fatigue, and dehydration may be associated with a wide range of infections, not exclusively bacterial. Symptoms like cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion are more characteristic of viral infections, especially upper respiratory ones, rather than bacterial infections. Lastly, headaches, muscle aches, and chills can occur in numerous conditions, including viral infections and systemic