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A bacterial infection is characterized by red, swollen, and painful skin due to the body's inflammatory response to the bacteria. When bacteria invade the skin or underlying tissues, they cause an immune response that leads to increased blood flow to the affected area, resulting in redness. The swelling occurs as fluids accumulate as part of the inflammation process, and the pain is typically due to tissue damage and the release of inflammatory mediators that activate pain receptors.

Bacterial infections can manifest in various forms, such as cellulitis, abscesses, or impetigo, all of which present with these symptoms. By contrast, viral infections may also cause skin irritations but are typically associated with different symptoms, such as fever or systemic illness, rather than localized swelling and redness alone. Fungal infections usually present with itching and scaling rather than the pronounced redness and swelling characteristic of bacterial infections. Parasitic infections have their own set of symptoms, often related to the type of parasite involved, and may not prominently feature the redness and swelling indicative of bacterial invasion.