Symptom

"Symptoms" redirects here. For other uses, see Symptom (disambiguation).

"Symptomatology" redirects here. This subject requires a separate article.

A symptom is an indication or characteristic of a physical or psychological condition distinguished by the individual suffering from it. The term derives from the Greek word σύμπτωμα, which translates to "accident, misfortune, that which befalls", from its root words συμπίπτω, meaning "I befall", derived further from συν- "together, with" and πίπτω, "I fall". Symptoms can either be objective or subjective; for instance, while fatigue is a subjective symptom, fever and cough are objective symptoms.

Unlike symptoms, a sign is a clue or indication of a disease identified by a doctor or examiner. To illustrate, paresthesia (a tingling sensation) is considered a symptom because only the person experiencing it can directly observe it. On the other hand, erythema (redness of the skin) is a sign since anyone can confirm its occurrence. Symptoms and signs can both be nonspecific; however, combinations of them can suggest certain diagnoses, providing clues as to the underlying condition. Some signs and symptoms are so specific that they are considered pathognomonic, meaning they are indicative of a particular disease.

Moreover, the term symptom can sometimes be applied to physiological states outside of disease, like "symptoms of pregnancy". The terms sign and symptom are often interchangeably used, though they are distinct in meaning.

Types

General Symptoms

Symptoms may be acute (short-lived) or more prolonged, and they may be chronic, relapsing, or remitting. Even if a disease is present, it might not manifest any symptoms, leading to conditions called Asymptomatic cases, such as subclinical infections or silent diseases like some cases of high blood pressure.

Constitutional symptoms, which are general in nature, arise from the systemic effects of a disease and impact the whole body rather than a specific region. Examples include fever, malaise, weight loss, and loss of appetite.

Patients often present to physicians with what they perceive as the most troubling or significant symptom. In medical parlance, this primary concern is called the "chief complaint" or "presenting symptom". The symptom that ultimately informs a diagnosis is known as the "cardinal symptom".

Specific Symptoms

• Non-specific symptoms: These do not point to a particular disease process or affect a singular body system. A common example is fatigue, which can arise from numerous conditions, be they mental or physical.
• Positive symptoms: These are present in those with a certain condition but are typically absent in healthy individuals. Examples include hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behaviors.
• Negative symptoms: These pertain to functions or feelings typically found in healthy individuals but are reduced or absent in those with a certain condition. Examples include social withdrawal and an inability to experience pleasure.
• Sensory symptoms can be both positive, like itching and tingling, or negative, such as numbness. Terms like paresthesia and dysesthesia describe positive sensory symptoms, while terms like Hypoesthesia and Anesthesia denote negative ones.

Possible Causes

Symptoms can emerge from a multitude of disease processes. While certain symptoms like sudden blindness in one eye are indicative of a limited number of conditions, others such as nausea can arise from numerous causes. Some symptoms can mislead both the patient and the treating physician. For instance, pain in the right shoulder could stem from an abdominal issue like inflammation of the gallbladder, leading a patient to mistakenly attribute the pain to a muscular strain.

Differentiating Symptom and Sign

The primary distinction between a symptom and a medical sign is objectivity. While a symptom is solely perceived by the patient, a sign is ascertainable by others, such as healthcare professionals or family members. For example, a physician cannot directly perceive a patient's headache; hence, it is a symptom. In contrast, the physician can observe and measure a patient's fever, classifying it as a sign.

References

Symptom Resources
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