Health: The Ultimate Treasure
Signs and symptoms
Learn how your body tells you that something is wrong.
Our body usually runs smoothly. When we feel unwell, something inside is not working as it should. The body tells us in two ways, and the two words are easy to mix up.
| Symptom | Sign | |
|---|---|---|
| what it is | what you feel | what can be seen or measured |
| who knows | only you, so you have to tell the doctor | the doctor can check it directly |
| examples | pain, tiredness, dizziness | fever (high temperature), a rash, high blood pressure, swelling |
Take a fever. The ache that comes with it is a symptom: only you can feel it. The high temperature is a sign: you might not even be sure you have a fever until a thermometer shows the number.
A burn on your hand is a sign too: anyone can see it.
Both matter. Together, signs and symptoms help doctors work out what is making us unwell.
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