Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Practice Exam

Which age group is most commonly affected by impetigo?

1. Adults

2. Teenagers

3. Infants and young children

4. The elderly

The correct answer is: Infants and young children

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that typically affects infants and young children. This demographic is more susceptible due to their developing immune systems and the likelihood of being in close contact with one another, especially in daycare settings or schools. The infection is characterized by the formation of red sores, which can easily spread through direct contact or by sharing personal items. While adults, teenagers, and the elderly can develop impetigo, they are not the most commonly affected groups. Adults generally have better immune responses, teenagers may have more exposure to other skin infections, and the elderly often have compromised skin integrity and immune function but still make up a smaller percentage of impetigo cases compared to young children. Thus, the correct answer identifies the age group that is most frequently impacted by the condition.