Which of the following is a symptom of a viral infection?

Fever is a common symptom associated with viral infections. When the body reacts to a virus, the immune system often raises the body temperature as a defense mechanism to help fight off the illness. This increase in temperature is what we refer to as a fever.

Muscle pain can also occur during viral infections. Many viruses can cause myalgia, which is the medical term for muscle pain. This symptom often results from the body’s inflammatory response to the virus, as immune cells and chemicals are released to combat the infection.

While high blood pressure is not a typical symptom of a viral infection, it can occur as a secondary effect due to stress or illness. However, it is not a direct symptom like a fever or muscle pain would be in the context of a viral infection.

Considering the commonality of fever and muscle pain in the presence of viral infections, the correct answer encompasses both of these primary symptoms, justifying the inclusion of all presented options as relevant to the symptomatic profile of a viral infection.