Sign vs Symptom: Difference and Comparison

Is there a difference between signs and symptoms (sign vs symptom)? This is one of the common questions asked in medical science studies.

Signs and symptoms are words that are often used interchangeably by individuals who are not familiar with medical sciences. These two words are important terms used in medical science to describe the physical manifestation of a medical condition or a disease.

In medical science, signs and symptoms help health professionals to understand a disease. Signs are the findings that can be observed by a health professional, but if it’s observed by a patient, it’s a symptom.

More differences regarding medical signs and symptoms have been discussed in this article.

The term “sign” has various meanings if you search the English dictionary. We have had to specify with “sign in medicine”, so that the definition is clearer.

A sign is a property of the body that indicates a disease. It’s an objective observable indication of a medical condition, disease, or injury.

A medical sign can be detected during a physical examination- and the signs of a disease or medical condition may be visible as a rash or bruise.

Medically, signs can also be detectable by using medical devices such as a stethoscope, and X-ray. An individual can observe signs by performing self-examination.

A few examples of medical signs include an abnormal gait, nail clubbing of the fingernails or toenails, enlarged lymph nodes, rash or skin lesions, and a Limbal ring- a darkened ring around the iris.

Also Read: Family Medicine vs Internal Medicine: Difference and Comparison

What Is a Symptom?

A symptom is a perceived change that is felt or experienced by a person that indicates a disease or disorder, such as rash, pain, fever, headache, or dizziness.

Symptoms occur as a personal experience that a patient deals with. Only a patient understands and can clearly describe their symptoms to a health professional.

The doctor will be able to diagnose the patient after performing a medical examination.

While signs are objectives, symptoms are subjective because only the patient can experience the symptoms of a worrying disease or medical condition. Only patients can clearly state the symptoms they experience to the doctor.

Whether the symptoms indicating a disease or disorder are headache, fever, nausea, body ache, dizziness, pain, or muscle fatigue, it’s best explained by the patient.

It’s important for one not to ignore any symptom they suspect to be unusual. It’s important to seek medical attention once you notice any kind of symptom. Failure to see a doctor will likely result in a more complicated health condition.

Sign vs Symptom: Difference between Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms are words that are often used interchangeably by individuals who are not in the medical field. These two words are important terms used in medical science to describe the physical manifestation of a medical condition or a disease.

A sign is a property of the body that indicates a disease. It’s an objective observable indication of a medical condition, disease or injury.

A symptom is a perceived change that is felt or experienced by a person that indicates a disease or disorder, such as rash, pain, fever, headache, or dizziness.

Sign vs Symptom: Types of Signs and Symptoms

Medically, signs and symptoms can be categorized into several types based on their nature and origin. The following are some of the common types of signs and symptoms;

Also Read: Cavity vs Tooth Decay: Difference and Comparison

Acute

These are types of signs or symptoms that occur suddenly. Acute signs and symptoms are usually severe.

Chronic

Chronic signs or symptoms are the type that persist for a longer period. They usually last for more than three months- but a patient should consult a doctor earlier, before the three-month period.

Primary

This is a type of sign or symptom that is directly related to the medical condition or disease.

Secondary

These are signs or symptoms that occur because of the disease or medical condition but they are not directly related to it.

Local

These are signs or symptoms that usually affect a specific part of the human body.

Sign vs Symptom: Important Difference between Signs and Symptoms

Basis of Comparison	Signs	Symptoms
Definition	A sign is a property of the body that indicates a disease. It’s an objective observable indication of a medical condition, disease or injury.	A symptom is a perceived change that is felt or experienced by a person that indicates a disease or disorder, such as rash, pain, fever, headache, or dizziness.
Nature	Objective	Subjective
How to check	Medically, signs can also be detectable by using instruments such as a stethoscope, X-ray, ophthalmoscopes, thermometers, and sphygmomanometer. .	In contrast, symptoms cannot be measured as it’s only experienced by the patient.
Observation method	Sign are usually visible and can be observed by a healthcare professional	Symptoms occur as a personal experience that a patient deals with
Examples	Medically, signs can also be detectable by using instruments such as a stethoscope, X-ray or taking the blood pressure.	Body pain, fever, nausea, headache, itching, dizziness, muscle fatigue, etc.
Types	Anamnestic signs, Prognostic signs, and Diagnostic signs	Chronic symptoms, Relapsing symptoms, and Remitting symptoms.
Visibility	Visible	Vague

Also Read: Cavity vs Root Canal: Difference and Comparison

Sign vs Symptom: Examples of Signs and Symptoms

The following are a few examples of signs and symptoms

Signs

Rash or skin lesions
Elevated temperature or fever
Abnormal heart rate
Enlarge lymph nodes
Abnormal laboratory test result

Symptoms

Pain
Body pain
Fever
Nausea or vomiting
Headache
Itching
Dizziness
Muscle fatigue

Sign vs Symptom

Nature of Signs and Symptoms: Medically, signs are objective indications of a disease or medical condition. A medical sign can be detected during a physical examination- and the signs of a disease or medical condition may be visible as a rash or bruise.
In contrast, symptoms are subjective evidence of a disease or medical condition.
Symptoms occur as a personal experience that a patient deals with. Only a patient understands and can clearly describe their symptoms to a health professional.
Verification of Signs and Symptoms: Medically, signs can be verified but symptoms cannot. Symptoms are usually reported to healthcare professionals for proper diagnosis.
Measurability of Signs and Symptoms: Medically, signs can be detectable by using medical devices such as a stethoscope, X-ray, ophthalmoscopes, thermometers, and sphygmomanometer.
Detectability of Signs and Symptoms: Signs are detectable and can be observed by patients, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Symptoms occur as a personal experience that a patient deals with.

Also Read: Filling vs Crown: Difference and Comparison

Sign vs Symptom: Facts on Signs and Symptoms

Here are a few facts on signs and symptoms.

A mild headache can only be a symptom because it’s only experienced by the patient and no one else.
Medical symptoms are organized into three- chronic, remitting, and relapsing.
High blood pressure is an example of a medical sign because it can be observed by another person.

Conclusion

Recommendations

References

Wikipedia: Signs and symptoms
Toppr: Difference Between Signs And Symptoms
PharmaEducation: Difference between Signs and Symptoms
MedicalNewsToday: Why do signs and symptoms matter?
GeeksforGeeks: Difference Between Signs And Symptoms

Sign vs Symptom: Difference and Comparison

What Is a Symptom?

Sign vs Symptom: Difference between Signs and Symptoms