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The hallmark symptom of lactose intolerance is abdominal pain after dairy consumption. This condition occurs when an individual has a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. When lactose is not properly digested, it passes into the colon, where it is fermented by bacteria, leading to abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and other gastrointestinal discomforts.

This characteristic symptom is directly linked to the consumption of dairy, making it a key indicator for diagnosing lactose intolerance. While fatigue, fever, and dehydration can occur in various other health conditions, they are not specific to lactose intolerance and do not represent the primary symptom related to the ingestion of lactose-containing foods. Thus, the presence of abdominal pain after consuming dairy products is a clear and definitive sign of this condition.