Which type of infection affects the skin or mucous membranes?

Superficial infections specifically target the outer layers of the skin or mucous membranes. These infections are typically caused by pathogens such as bacteria or fungi that invade and replicate in these accessible areas, resulting in symptoms like redness, swelling, and the formation of lesions or rashes.

In contrast, systemic infections involve the body on a more extensive level, often affecting multiple organ systems and spreading throughout the bloodstream. Focal infections refer to infections that start in one area but can spread to other parts of the body, affecting localized regions rather than just the skin or mucous membranes. Endemic infections describe diseases that are consistently present within a particular geographic area but are not limited to skin or mucous membrane involvement; they can affect various systems in the body.

Thus, the defining characteristic of superficial infections is their restriction to the outer layers of the skin or mucous membranes, making this type of infection distinct from the other categories.