What's the Difference Between a Sign and Symptom?

The terms signs and symptoms are often interchanged and mistaken for each other. In fact they are quite different.

A sign is a physical manifestation of illness, injury or disease. A rapid pulse, a high temperature, a low blood pressure, an open wound, bruising, etc. are all signs.

A symptom is subjective. A symptom is what the patient experiences about the illness, injury or disease. Symptoms include chills, shaking, shivering, nausea, and vertigo. Symptoms can be characterized by the patient to help the physician diagnose the problem.

To find out more about signs and symptoms read about them in the glossary.