Signs and symptoms facts for kids

A doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to a person's heart and lungs. This helps them find signs of a health problem. If someone feels sick, they tell the doctor what they feel, like pain. These feelings are called symptoms.

Signs and symptoms are words doctors use to describe changes in a person's body when they are sick. They help doctors understand what might be wrong.

What are Signs?

A sign is something a doctor can notice about your body. They can see it, hear it, feel it, or even smell it. Signs can also show up on medical tests, like X-rays or blood tests.

Here are some examples of signs:

• A doctor might hear different sounds in your lungs with a stethoscope. This can be a sign of a breathing problem.
• They might see a bruise or swelling on your body. These are signs of an injury.
• A doctor can feel if a bone seems bent or broken. This is a sign of a bone fracture.
• They might smell a fruity scent on someone's breath. This can be a sign of very high blood sugar.
• An X-ray can show a broken bone. This is a clear sign of a fracture.

Sign A bullseye rash is a sign of Lyme disease. A doctor can easily see this rash.

Symptom Seeing flashing lights that aren't there is a symptom of a migraine headache. Only the person experiencing it knows it's happening.

What are Symptoms?

A symptom is something only the person who is sick can feel or notice. A doctor cannot see, hear, feel, or smell a symptom directly. Symptoms also do not show up on medical tests.

Here are some examples of symptoms:

• Before a migraine headache, some people see flashing lights. No one else can see these lights, and they won't appear on tests. This is called an aura, and it's a symptom.
• Sometimes, people hear a ringing sound in their ears. This can be a symptom of ear or hearing problems.
• Pain is a very common symptom. A doctor cannot see or feel your pain. Only you can feel it. If you have a headache or a stomach ache, you must tell the doctor.
• Before a seizure, some people smell something that isn't really there. Only they can smell it. This can be a symptom that warns a seizure is about to happen.

Signs and Symptoms Together

Often, when someone has a health problem, they will have both signs and symptoms. They usually go hand-in-hand.

Images for kids

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  This painting shows René Laennec in 1816. He is using an early way to listen to a man's chest, which is called auscultation.

See also

In Spanish: Signo clínico para niños