What is an example of a symptom of a disease?

September 28, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Cancer Institute, a symptom is something a person feels or experiences that may indicate a disease. So, what is an example of a symptom of a disease, and how does it differ from a medical sign that a doctor can observe?

Quick Summary

A common example of a symptom is pain, such as a persistent headache or muscle ache, as it is a subjective experience felt only by the patient. Other examples of subjective symptoms include nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.

Key Points

Subjective Experience: A symptom is a subjective feeling or experience reported by a patient, such as pain or nausea, not an observable fact.
Signs vs. Symptoms: A key distinction is that symptoms are felt internally, while signs are objective, external findings a doctor can observe or measure.
Diverse Examples: Examples of symptoms are wide-ranging and include general feelings like fatigue and dizziness, and specific sensations like a persistent headache.
Crucial for Diagnosis: Patient-reported symptoms are critical clues that guide a healthcare provider's diagnostic process, helping them determine which signs to look for.
Communication is Key: Clear and accurate communication of your symptoms to a doctor is essential for proper evaluation and effective medical care.
Asymptomatic Conditions: Some diseases, like high blood pressure, may have no noticeable symptoms, underscoring the importance of regular check-ups.

The Core Difference: Symptoms vs. Signs

In medicine, a critical distinction is made between a symptom and a sign. Understanding this difference is key to accurately communicating your health concerns to a doctor. A symptom is a subjective experience, something that is felt or perceived by the individual affected, and is not physically observable by others. A sign, in contrast, is objective evidence of a disease that can be detected by a healthcare provider or a medical device. For example, feeling feverish is a symptom, but the elevated temperature measured with a thermometer is a sign.

Subjective Nature of Symptoms

Symptoms are unique to the patient's experience. This includes internal feelings that cannot be seen or measured by others. Two individuals with the same illness may report different symptoms, highlighting their subjective nature. Pain, for instance, is a classic symptom because its intensity and location are entirely dependent on the patient's perception.

Common Examples of Symptoms

Beyond pain, many everyday health complaints are examples of symptoms. Recognizing these can help you better articulate your health status to a medical professional.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a feeling of extreme tiredness or lack of energy that is not relieved by rest. While it can be a simple result of a lack of sleep, persistent or severe fatigue can be a symptom of more serious conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes. It's a constitutional symptom, meaning it affects the body generally.

Pain

Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. It is a protective sensation, but when it becomes chronic or unusual, it is a significant symptom. Headaches, chest pain, and abdominal pain are all examples of symptoms that can signal a variety of underlying diseases.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea is the subjective feeling of sickness in the stomach with an urge to vomit, a sensation that only the patient can feel. While nausea is the symptom, vomiting is an observable sign. Persistent nausea, like abdominal pain, can be a symptom of gastrointestinal diseases.

Dizziness

This is a subjective feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or a spinning sensation, known as vertigo. Severe dizziness, especially when accompanied by other neurological symptoms, can be a symptom of a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention.

Asymptomatic Conditions

Not all diseases present with symptoms. Some are asymptomatic, meaning they have no noticeable symptoms. High blood pressure is a prime example of an asymptomatic condition that can cause significant organ damage over time without the patient's awareness. This is why regular check-ups are so important.

The Role of Symptoms in Diagnosis

When you consult a healthcare provider, they combine the symptoms you report with the signs they observe and the results of medical tests to form a complete picture of your health. For example, if a patient reports shortness of breath (a symptom), a doctor might listen to the lungs with a stethoscope and hear wheezing (a sign), which, along with other tests, can lead to a diagnosis of asthma.

Communicating Your Symptoms Effectively

To aid your doctor, it is helpful to provide detailed information about your symptoms. This includes when they started, their duration, how often they occur, their severity, and what makes them better or worse. For more detailed information on a wide range of symptoms, you can consult reliable resources such as the MedlinePlus Symptoms Page.

Comparison Table: Signs vs. Symptoms

To summarize the key differences, refer to the following table.


Aspect	Symptom	Sign
Definition	A subjective experience felt by the patient.	An objective, observable or measurable indication of disease.
Perceived By	Only the patient can know for sure.	Can be perceived by a patient, doctor, or measured by a device.
Measurability	Not directly measurable (e.g., pain scale is based on report).	Often measurable (e.g., blood pressure, temperature).
Examples	Pain, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headache.	Fever, rash, swelling, high blood pressure, abnormal blood test results.

Conclusion: Listening to Your Body

Understanding what is an example of a symptom of a disease empowers you to become a more active participant in your own healthcare. While a single symptom is not a definitive diagnosis, recognizing that subjective feelings like pain, fatigue, or nausea are communications from your body is a crucial first step. Never ignore persistent or concerning symptoms, and always consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Listening to your body is the first step toward maintaining good health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pain, such as a headache, is a common example because it is a subjective feeling only the patient can experience. Other examples include nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.

A symptom is a subjective experience, such as a headache or feeling of nausea, while a sign is an objective, observable indication of a disease, like a fever or a rash.

Yes, a symptom is inherently a private experience that cannot be directly observed or measured by another person, though it is very real to the individual experiencing it.

No, fatigue is a non-specific symptom that can be caused by many factors, including lack of sleep or stress. However, persistent fatigue can be a symptom of more serious underlying conditions, so a doctor should be consulted if it continues.

An asymptomatic disease is a condition that has no noticeable or reported symptoms. A classic example is the early stages of high blood pressure, which is often only detected through medical screening.

While symptoms can indicate illness, it's important not to panic or self-diagnose. Persistent or severe symptoms warrant a consultation with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation.

Doctors use the symptoms you describe, along with objective signs they observe and results from medical tests, to build a complete picture and arrive at an accurate diagnosis.