What are "symptoms" in a medical context?

In a medical context, "symptoms" refer primarily to self-reported or observed signs experienced by the individual, such as pain, fatigue, or dizziness. These manifestations are crucial because they provide valuable insight into the patient's condition from their perspective, allowing healthcare professionals to understand the patient's experience and tailor care accordingly. Symptom reporting is foundational in the diagnostic process, as it helps guide further examination and testing.

Observations made by healthcare providers, such as changes in vital signs or behavior, represent signs rather than symptoms since signs are documented indicators noticed during a clinical assessment. Diagnosed conditions stem from a comprehensive evaluation that often includes but is not limited to symptoms. Test results, while essential for making clinical decisions, are diagnostics rather than symptoms themselves. Thus, the correct definition focuses on the patient's personal experience of their health issues.