In the context of medicine and healthcare, the terms "symptom" and "sign" have distinct meanings:
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Symptom: A symptom is a subjective experience reported by the patient. It reflects what the patient feels and describes, such as pain, fatigue, or nausea. Symptoms are not directly observable by others and can vary greatly from one individual to another.
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Sign: A sign, on the other hand, is an objective finding that can be observed or measured by a healthcare professional during a physical examination or through diagnostic testing. Examples of signs include a rash, elevated blood pressure, or abnormal lab results.
In summary, symptoms are what patients perceive and communicate about their condition, while signs are observable indicators of a condition as detected by a healthcare provider.