sign
Quick Summary
In medicine, a sign is an objective manifestation of disease that a physician can determine, while a symptom is subjective evidence reported by the patient. Historically, diagnosis relied heavily on observing these signs and symptoms, as diagnostic tests were limited.12
Signs can include physical findings like fever, changes in pulse rate, or abnormal white blood cell counts. For instance, in respiratory diseases, a cough producing sputum can be a sign of inflammation or malignancy. Palpation, the act of feeling the body's surface, is a diagnostic technique used to detect signs such as tenderness, masses, or organ enlargement.134
Modern medicine has advanced diagnostic capabilities with technology, but the fundamental principles of observing signs and symptoms, as emphasized by ancient physicians like Hippocrates, remain crucial.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
plant diseaseSignsBesides symptoms, the diagnostician recognizes signs characteristic of specific diseases. Signs are either structures formed by the pathogen or the result of interaction between pathogen and host—e.g., ooze of fire blight bacteria, slime flux from wetwood of elm, odour of tissues affected with bacterial…
Read MoreBesides symptoms, the diagnostician recognizes signs characteristic of specific diseases. Signs are either structures formed by the pathogen or the result of interaction between pathogen and host—e.g., ooze of fire blight bacteria, slime flux from wetwood of elm, odour of tissues affected with bacterial…
Read More- plant diseaseSymptoms and signs
…developments are referred to as signs of infection, in contrast to symptoms, which refer specifically to the plant or plant tissue.
Read More…developments are referred to as signs of infection, in contrast to symptoms, which refer specifically to the plant or plant tissue.
Read More