Which of the following findings would typically indicate acute infection in the throat?

The presence of pharyngeal erythema and exudate is a classic indicator of an acute infection in the throat, such as streptococcal pharyngitis or viral pharyngitis. Erythema refers to the redness of the pharyngeal tissue, which typically occurs due to inflammation caused by an infection. Meanwhile, exudate, which can appear as white spots or pus on the tonsils and throat, is often associated with bacterial infections. Together, these findings suggest that the body is responding to an infectious agent, prompting specific signs of inflammation and infection.

In contrast, a clear throat without discomfort generally suggests the absence of infection, indicating normal throat conditions. The presence of allergies often results in symptoms like nasal congestion or post-nasal drip rather than specific signs of infection in the throat. Lastly, swelling without redness may indicate a different condition, such as non-infectious irritation or a chronic issue rather than an acute infectious process. This further distinguishes acute infections, which typically present with both erythema and exudate.