What symptom is NOT typically associated with pleural effusion?

Pleural effusion is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, which can lead to various symptoms. Among these, shortness of breath is common because the fluid can compress the lung and reduce its capacity for expansion during breathing. Chest pain may also be present, particularly if the effusion is due to infection or inflammation in the pleurae, as this can irritate the lining.

Dullness to percussion is a physical examination finding that occurs in cases of pleural effusion. When tapping on the chest wall over an area with fluid, the sound will be dull rather than the normal resonance expected over healthy lung tissue.

High fever, however, is not a standard symptom of pleural effusion itself. While conditions that cause pleural effusion, such as pneumonia or malignancy, might be associated with fever, the effusion itself does not typically elicit a fever as a direct symptom. Therefore, high fever is the symptom that is not typically associated with pleural effusion.