Final answer:
In the case of a bacterial infection, the blood component that increases at the infection site are white blood cells, as they are part of the immune response to fight off the pathogens, indicative of a positive feedback process.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a person has a bacterial infection, the blood component that would increase in the area of infection is white blood cells (WBCs). When bacteria enter the circulatory system, it triggers an immune response where WBCs, which are abundant phagocytes, gather to the site of infection to combat and obliterate the bacteria. This is a form of positive feedback, where the number of WBCs at the infection site increases in correlation with the presence of more pathogens. Bacterial pathogens might infiltrate the circulatory or lymphatic systems via a range of routes, such as wounds, insect bites, or even during hospital stays, which can result in nosocomial infections. Once bacteria establish themselves in the bloodstream, if not adequately treated, they can lead to severe conditions like septicemia, toxemia, and septic shock. In these instances, it's often the body's immune response, including the inflammatory response and WBC activation, that contributes to the symptoms more than the bacteria itself.