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Symptoms & Signs

A Symptom is an indication of disease, illness, injury, or that something is not correct in the body. Symptoms are feeling or notice by the person who has them, but may not be easily seen by anybody else. For example, chills, weakness, aches, and feeling short of breath may be symptoms of pneumonia.

A Sign is also an indication that something is not right in the body. But signs are signal that can be seen by a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional. Fever, fast breathing, and abnormal breathing sounds heard through a stethoscope may be signs of pneumonia.

Having one indication or symbol may not be sufficient to figure out what's reason it. For example, a rash in a child could be a symbol of a number of things, such as poison ivy, and communicable disease like measles, a skin disease, or a food allergy. But if the child has the rash along with other signs and symptoms like a high fever, chills, achiness, and a sore throat, then a doctor can get a better picture of the illness. In many cases, a patient's signs and symptoms alone do not give the doctor enough clues to figure out the cause of an illness. Then medical tests, such as x-rays, blood tests, or a biopsy may be needed.