Inflammation is the response of tissues to infection and damage. In the acute phase, it functions to bring cells and molecules to the site of infection or damage to elicit a protective response1.
The acute inflammatory response is characterized by three phases:
- Dilation of blood vessels, which increases blood flow bringing components of the inflammatory response to the area of need.
- Increased vascular permeability, which allows molecules and cells to move out of the circulation into the tissues.
- Migration of leukocytes into the tissues to respond to the offending agent and remove debris1.