Pinpoint Your Symptoms - Start Now

Find a symptom or sign of disease by using the Illustrated Guide (male or female), or the Symptom Checker A-Z list. Alternatively, if you know the spelling of your medical symptom, simply use the search function above. If you're not sure of the spelling, type the first few letters, followed by an asterisk(*).

It is very helpful to evaluate symptoms and signs in diagnosing the causes of health problems and in monitoring the status of diagnosed diseases. Moreover, assessment of symptoms and signs is important during treatment with medications in order to determine the effectiveness of treatment and the development of side effects.

What is a Symptom?

Symptom: Any subjective evidence of disease. A symptom is a phenomenon that is experienced by an individual. Anxiety, lower back pain, and fatigue are all symptoms. They are sensations only the patient can perceive. In contrast, a sign is objective evidence of disease. A bloody nose is a sign. It is evident to the patient, doctor, nurse, and other observers.

What is a Sign?

Sign: Any objective evidence of disease. A sign can be detected by a person other than the affected individual. Gross blood in the stool is a sign of disease. It can be recognized by the patient, doctor, nurse, or others. In contrast, a symptom is, by its nature, subjective. Abdominal pain is a symptom. It is something only the patient can know.

Unable to find the topic you are looking for? See our search help or the Symptoms & Signs A-Z list (select a letter - over 70 symptoms & signs listed) below. Alternatively, if you know the spelling of your medical symptom, simply use the search function below. If you're not sure of the spelling, type the first few letters, followed by an asterisk(*).