Which of the following is a sign of bacterial pharyngitis?

• A. Clear nasal discharge
• B. Presence of tonsillar exudate
• C. Watery eyes
• D. Coughing without fever

Answer: (B)

The presence of tonsillar exudate is a key sign of bacterial pharyngitis, which is commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, among other bacteria. When a bacterial infection is present, it often leads to the formation of pus on the tonsils, which appears as white or yellow spots. This symptom is significant because it helps to differentiate bacterial pharyngitis from viral causes of sore throat, where tonsillar exudate is less common.

In contrast, other signs like clear nasal discharge or watery eyes are more typically associated with viral infections or allergic reactions rather than bacterial pharyngitis. Similarly, a cough without fever is more indicative of non-bacterial causes of throat irritation and does not point towards an infection like bacterial pharyngitis, which usually presents with fever and sharper throat pain alongside the exudates.