Final answer:
The symptom that makes me consider a viral etiology instead of strep throat infection is rhinorrhea, which is the medical term for a runny nose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptom that makes me consider a viral etiology instead of strep throat infection is Rhinorrhea, which is the medical term for a runny nose.
While fever, headache, and exudative pharyngitis can be associated with both viral and strep throat infections, rhinorrhea is more commonly seen in viral infections.
So, if your pt has a runny nose along with the other symptoms, it is more likely that the etiology is viral rather than strep throat infection.