What it means
Describes a finding, infection or disease confined to one spot. A localized infection is in one place, such as a boil, with redness, swelling, heat and pain there; a systemic infection affects the whole body, with fever and chills. Localized cancer has not spread beyond where it started. The opposite of localized is generalized or systemic.
In a chart
"Localized redness and warmth 2 cm around IV site; no fever."
At a glance
| Spanish | localizado |
|---|---|
| Also written | localised |
Related terms
superficial
Near or on the surface of the body or of a structure.
metastasis
The spread of cancer cells from where the cancer started to other parts of the body.
inflammatory response
The body's protective reaction to injury or infection, which brings blood, fluid and white cells to the area.