The full form of S/S is Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms are abnormalities that can indicate a potential medical condition. Whereas a symptom is subjective, that is, apparent only to the patient (for example back pain or fatigue), a sign is any objective evidence of a disease that can be observed by others (for example a skin rash or lump).

In the medical world, a sign is a health issue that can be observed. This might be a skin rash that indicates eczema, the rasping sound of a bronchitis cough, or red rings around the eyes brought on by dermatitis. Signs can be identified by anyone, but should be professionally diagnosed by doctors, who have the training and experience to identify their possible cause. Many signs are able to be measured by doctors, which is an important part of the diagnosis.

The most important medical signs are called vital signs, and include your heart rate (pulse), breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure. Doctors observe these signs to diagnose various medical problems. During operations, when the patient is at a higher level of risk, vital signs are closely observed to monitor their health status⁵.

Signs can indicate symptoms. If a person is squinting their eyes and rubbing their temples, this could be a sign that they’re experiencing symptoms of pain, possibly from a headache. If your pregnant partner wakes up and flies to the bathroom like a bat out of hell, her vomiting is probably a sign of nausea symptoms, as a result of morning sickness.

A symptom is the subjective experience of a potential health issue, which cannot be observed by a doctor. Examples include stomach cramps as a result of eating undercooked meat, a throbbing headache brought on by stress, or an overwhelming feeling of fatigue. The doctor cannot see, hear, feel, or smell any of these issues, which makes them symptoms, not signs. If you’re having symptoms, you’re the only person who can describe them.