Sign vs. Symptoms: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 23, 2024
Signs are objective, observable indicators of a condition, while symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient.
Key Differences
Signs are measurable and observable by others, like a rash or fever, while symptoms are subjective feelings experienced by the patient, like pain or fatigue.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Doctors often rely on signs for a more objective assessment, while symptoms provide insight into the patient's experience.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
A sign can be a high blood pressure reading, observable and measurable, whereas a symptom is the patient's experience of headache or dizziness.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Both signs and symptoms are crucial for diagnosis; signs can be seen or measured, while symptoms are described by the patient.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
In medical communication, signs are often reported by healthcare professionals, while symptoms are reported by patients.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
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Comparison Chart
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Sign and Symptoms Definitions
Sign
A sign is a measurable indication of a health condition.
The doctor noted the sign of swelling in the patient's knee.
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Symptoms
A symptom is a subjective indication of a disease or change in condition.
The patient reported symptoms of fatigue and headache.
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Jan 17, 2024
Sign
A sign can be seen or measured by someone other than the patient.
A rash is a visible sign of an allergic reaction.
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Jan 17, 2024
Symptoms
Symptoms are experienced and described by the patient.
Symptoms of depression can include feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
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Sign
Signs can be detected through medical tests.
An MRI can reveal signs of a brain tumor.
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Symptoms
Symptoms often guide the initial stages of medical inquiry.
A patient's symptoms of coughing and fever can suggest a respiratory infection.
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Sign
Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality
A high temperature is a sign of fever.
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Symptoms
Symptoms cannot be measured directly but are vital for diagnosis.
The symptom of chest pain may indicate heart problems.
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Jan 17, 2024
Sign
An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire, information, or a command
Gave the go-ahead sign.
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Symptoms
Symptoms are personal experiences related to a health condition.
Experiencing dizziness is a common symptom of vertigo.
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Symptoms
An indication of a disorder or disease, especially a subjective one such as pain, nausea, or weakness.
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Sign
A displayed structure bearing lettering or symbols, used to identify or advertise a place of business
A motel with a flashing neon sign outside.
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Symptoms
A characteristic sign or indication of the existence of something else
Drought and erratic rainfall as symptoms of climate change.
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Sign
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command
An EXIT sign above a door.
A traffic sign.
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Sign
A conventional figure or device that stands for a word, phrase, or operation; a symbol, as in mathematics or in musical notation.
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Sign
Pl. sign An indicator, such as a dropping or footprint, of the trail of an animal
Looking for deer sign.
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Sign
A portentous incident or event; a presage
Took the eclipse as a sign from God.
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Sign
(Medicine) An objective finding, usually detected on physical examination, from a laboratory test, or on an x-ray, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
One of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each named for a constellation and represented by a symbol.
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Sign
To approve or ratify (a document) by affixing a signature, seal, or other mark
Sign a bill into law.
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Sign
To hire or engage by obtaining a signature on a contract
Signed a rookie pitcher for next season.
Sign up actors for a tour.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
To relinquish or transfer title to by signature
Signed away all her claims to the estate.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
To express (a word or thought, for example) in a sign language
Signed her reply to the question.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
A perceptible (e.g. visible) indication.
Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk.
Those clouds show signs of raining soon.
Those clouds show little sign of raining soon.
Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective.
The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step.
I gave them a thumbs-up sign.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Physical evidence left by an animal.
The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
The sign in the window advertised a room for rent.
I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
(astrology) An astrological sign.
Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
(mathematics) Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.
I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.
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Sign
A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.
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Sign
(uncountable) Sign language in general.
Sorry, I don't know sign very well.
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Sign
A semantic unit, something that conveys meaning or information (e.g. a word of written language); a unit consisting of a signifier and a signified concept. sign (semiotics)]].
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Sign
(medicine) A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, can be detected objectively by someone other than the patient.
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Sign
To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol.
The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.
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Sign
(transitive) To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
(transitive) More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc.
I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
To write (one's name) as a signature.
Just sign your name at the bottom there.
I received a letter from some woman who signs herself ‘Mrs Trellis’.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
(intransitive) To write one's signature.
Please sign on the dotted line.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
(intransitive) To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
(transitive) To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.
It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players.
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Sign
(transitive) To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
(transitive) To communicate or make known (a meaning, intention, etc.) by a sign.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
(transitive) To communicate using gestures to (someone).
He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
(transitive) To calculate or derive whether a quantity has a positive or negative sign.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
That by which anything is made known or represented; that which furnishes evidence; a mark; a token; an indication; a proof.
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.
It shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Something serving to indicate the existence, or preserve the memory, of a thing; a token; a memorial; a monument.
What time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men, and they became a sign.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Any symbol or emblem which prefigures, typifles, or represents, an idea; a type; hence, sometimes, a picture.
The holy symbols, or signs, are not barely significative; but what they represent is as certainly delivered to us as the symbols themselves.
Saint George of Merry England, the sign of victory.
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Sign
A word or a character regarded as the outward manifestation of thought; as, words are the sign of ideas.
They made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
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Sign
Hence, one of the gestures of pantomime, or of a language of a signs such as those used by the North American Indians, or those used by the deaf and dumb.
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Sign
A military emblem carried on a banner or a standard.
The shops were, therefore, distinguished by painted signs, which gave a gay and grotesque aspect to the streets.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
A character indicating the relation of quantities, or an operation performed upon them; as, the sign + (plus); the sign - (minus); the sign of division ÷, and the like.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Any character, as a flat, sharp, dot, etc.
An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
To represent by a sign; to make known in a typical or emblematic manner, in distinction from speech; to signify.
I signed to Browne to make his retreat.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
To make a sign upon; to mark with a sign.
We receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the cross.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
To affix a signature to; to ratify by hand or seal; to subscribe in one's own handwriting.
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed,And let him sign it.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
To make a sign or signal; to communicate directions or intelligence by signs.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
To write one's name, esp. as a token of assent, responsibility, or obligation.
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
A perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened);
He showed signs of strain
They welcomed the signs of spring
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
A public display of a (usually written) message;
He posted signs in all the shop windows
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Sign
Any communication that encodes a message;
Signals from the boat suddenly stopped
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Sign
Structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted;
The highway was lined with signboards
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease;
There were no signs of asphixiation
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges);
He got the polarity of the battery reversed
Charges of opposite sign
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
An event that is experienced as indicating important things to come;
He hoped it was an augury
It was a sign from God
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Sign
A fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified;
The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary
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Sign
A character indicating a relation between quantities;
Don't forget the minus sign
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Mark with one's signature; write one's name (on);
She signed the letter and sent it off
Please sign here
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation;
All parties ratified the peace treaty
Have you signed your contract yet?
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Be engaged by a written agreement;
He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18
The soprano signed to sing the new opera
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Engage by written agreement;
They signed two new pitchers for the next season
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs;
He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture
The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Place signs, as along a road;
Sign an intersection
This road has been signed
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Communicate in sign language;
I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
Make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
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Jan 15, 2024
Sign
A sign is an objective finding in a medical examination.
High blood sugar levels are a sign of diabetes.
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Jan 17, 2024
Sign
Signs are often used to monitor the progression of a disease.
Decreased heart rate can be a sign of improving cardiac health.
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Jan 17, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can symptoms be felt by someone other than the patient?
No, symptoms are subjective and only experienced by the patient.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Are signs always visible?
Not always; some signs are detectable through tests.
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Feb 23, 2024
Can symptoms vary between patients?
Yes, symptoms can vary widely in type and intensity.
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Feb 23, 2024
Can psychological conditions have signs?
Yes, though they're often more reliant on symptom reporting.
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Feb 23, 2024
Are signs more reliable than symptoms for diagnosis?
Signs are more objective, but both are important for diagnosis.
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Feb 23, 2024
Are signs typically measured?
Yes, signs are often quantifiable through medical tests and observations.
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Feb 23, 2024
Can a sign exist without symptoms?
Yes, it's possible to have signs without the patient feeling symptoms.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Can a medical condition have both signs and symptoms?
Yes, most conditions have a combination of both.
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Feb 23, 2024
Are symptoms always reported accurately by patients?
Not always, as patients' perceptions and descriptions can vary.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Is patient history important for understanding symptoms?
Yes, it provides context for interpreting symptoms.
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Feb 23, 2024
Are symptoms subjective in all medical conditions?
Generally yes, as they are based on personal experience.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Do symptoms always indicate illness?
Not necessarily; they can be temporary or due to non-illness factors.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Can the same symptom indicate different diseases?
Yes, a symptom like fatigue can be common to many conditions.
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Feb 23, 2024
Are there diseases with no signs or symptoms?
Yes, some diseases are asymptomatic, especially in early stages.
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Feb 23, 2024
Can lifestyle factors influence signs and symptoms?
Absolutely, factors like diet and stress can impact both.
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Feb 23, 2024
Can signs help in predicting disease outcomes?
They can provide important information for prognosis.
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Feb 23, 2024
Are symptoms important for chronic disease management?
Yes, they help in monitoring and managing ongoing conditions.
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Feb 23, 2024
Can signs be misinterpreted?
Yes, accurate interpretation requires medical expertise.
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Feb 23, 2024
Is self-reporting of symptoms always reliable?
It can vary; medical assessment may be needed for clarification.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Is a fever a sign or a symptom?
Fever is a sign, as it can be objectively measured.
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Feb 23, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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