Final answer:
Edema is the accumulation of fluid at a site of infection, characterized by swelling and part of the body's inflammatory response to combat the infectious agent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accumulation of fluid near a site of infection is known as edema. This condition is part of the inflammatory response and involves localized redness, swelling, heat, and pain that result from the movement of leukocytes and fluid through opened capillaries to the site of infection. Edema can occur as a result of various causes such as circulatory deficits, certain therapeutic drugs, pregnancy, localized injury, or an allergic reaction. It is indicative of the body's innate immunity, which acts to combat the infection and facilitate healing.