Which of the following is NOT considered a symptom of infection?

• A. Cough
• B. Elevated white blood cell count
• C. Fatigue
• D. Fever

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the difference between a symptom and a sign in the context of infection. A symptom is a subjective experience reported by the patient, such as feeling tired or having a cough, while a sign is an objective measurement observed by a healthcare provider, like an elevated white blood cell count.
2. Step 2: Review each option to classify it as either a symptom or a sign. For example, cough, fatigue, and fever are sensations or experiences felt by the patient, so they are symptoms.
3. Step 3: Recognize that an elevated white blood cell count is detected through laboratory tests and is not something the patient can feel or report, making it a sign rather than a symptom.
4. Step 4: Conclude that the option which is NOT a symptom of infection is the elevated white blood cell count, because it is a sign.
5. Step 5: Summarize that symptoms are subjective indicators of illness, while signs are objective findings, and this distinction helps in clinical diagnosis.