Signs vs symptoms
Tue, Sep 8, 2026 · Week 3 · Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions)
Today's goal: Tell the difference between signs and symptoms and use both to begin describing a mystery illness.
What a finished product looks like
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
From three patient cases, I sorted each clue by whether a doctor can measure it (sign) or only the patient can report it (symptom).
Why both matter: signs give measurable evidence anyone can verify, while symptoms reveal what the patient is experiencing that a test might miss, so together they point toward a diagnosis.
Prediction: the fever plus rash pattern fits an infectious (pathogen-caused) illness, so I would start there.
| Clue | Sign or Symptom | Who detects it |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature 39.4 C | Sign | Measured with a thermometer |
| Visible red rash | Sign | Seen by clinician |
| Feeling tired | Symptom | Reported by patient |
| Headache | Symptom | Reported by patient |
| Fast heart rate | Sign | Measured with a pulse check |
Also due today: Keep in notebook; photograph and upload to portfolio by Friday.
WebXam problem for today's skill
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.