Which of the following is a symptom of aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia is a condition where the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Fatigue and weakness are primary symptoms of this condition due to a lack of red blood cells (which carry oxygen) and a reduced oxygen supply to the body’s tissues. This results in overall feelings of tiredness and decreased physical stamina, making these symptoms critical for diagnosing aplastic anemia.

The other options do not align with the symptoms typically associated with aplastic anemia. A high white blood cell count is not a characteristic of this condition; rather, aplastic anemia often presents with lower white blood cell counts. Increased appetite and rapid weight gain are not relevant symptoms of aplastic anemia and would generally point towards other medical issues. Therefore, the presence of fatigue and weakness makes it clear that this is a key symptom of aplastic anemia.