Which of the following is NOT a common symptom of streptococcal pharyngitis?

In the context of streptococcal pharyngitis, a dry cough is not typically associated with this condition. Streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as strep throat, is characterized by specific symptoms that include a painful sore throat, swollen tonsils with exudates, and tonsillar hypertrophy. These symptoms arise due to the inflammatory response triggered by the bacterial infection.

A dry cough is generally more indicative of viral infections, allergies, or other respiratory conditions, rather than a bacterial infection like strep throat, which usually presents with more pronounced throat pain and associated symptomatology. The presence of a cough in strep throat tends to be minimal or productive, as the inflammation primarily affects the throat rather than causing significant respiratory symptoms. Therefore, identifying a dry cough as not being a common symptom helps distinguish between the types of infections and leads to more accurate clinical assessments and treatments.