Which symptom is commonly associated with cellulitis?

Which symptom is commonly associated with cellulitis?

• A. Fever, chills, malaise, and weakness
• B. Joint swelling without skin signs
• C. Nasal congestion
• D. Localized numbness

Answer: (A)

Systemic signs of infection are commonly seen with cellulitis, which is a bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The body’s immune response to this infection often produces fever, chills, malaise, and weakness in addition to the local redness, warmth, and swelling at the affected site. These systemic symptoms reflect that the infection is not just localized but triggering a broader inflammatory response. The other options don’t fit the typical presentation: joint swelling without skin signs points more toward a joint issue such as septic arthritis or inflammatory arthritis; nasal congestion is typical of a viral upper respiratory infection; and localized numbness suggests nerve involvement or another neurological issue rather than a superficial skin infection like cellulitis.

Systemic signs of infection are commonly seen with cellulitis, which is a bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The body’s immune response to this infection often produces fever, chills, malaise, and weakness in addition to the local redness, warmth, and swelling at the affected site. These systemic symptoms reflect that the infection is not just localized but triggering a broader inflammatory response.

The other options don’t fit the typical presentation: joint swelling without skin signs points more toward a joint issue such as septic arthritis or inflammatory arthritis; nasal congestion is typical of a viral upper respiratory infection; and localized numbness suggests nerve involvement or another neurological issue rather than a superficial skin infection like cellulitis.