Symptom vs. Effect: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 11, 2023
A symptom is a sign indicating a particular disease or condition, while an effect is a result or outcome from a specific cause.
Key Differences
Symptom and effect, while seemingly related, have different implications, especially in the realms of medicine and causality. A symptom serves as an indicator or manifestation of an underlying condition or disease. For instance, in the medical field, a persistent cough or fever may be a symptom of an underlying illness. On the other hand, an effect is the outcome or result that arises due to a particular cause, spanning beyond just medical scenarios.
The term "symptom" often carries with it a diagnostic value. Doctors and medical professionals use symptoms to identify and diagnose various ailments. It's essential to understand that while a symptom can hint at a possible condition, it doesn't conclusively determine the cause. In contrast, the term "effect" signifies a direct consequence or result of an action, event, or other causes. An effect is more definitive in nature, showing the direct result of a cause.
It's crucial to remember that while all symptoms display effects (like pain, discomfort, etc.), not all effects are symptoms. For example, the effect of pouring water on a plant is that the plant receives nourishment, but this nourishment is not a symptom of any disease or condition. Similarly, while a headache might be a symptom of various conditions (like dehydration, tension, etc.), the dehydration itself is an effect of not consuming enough water.
In daily conversations, the distinction between symptom and effect is often overlooked, but the subtle differences are vital. Symptoms are specific to indicating potential problems or conditions, especially in a medical context. In contrast, effects are broad-ranging, capturing the breadth of outcomes and consequences of actions in various contexts, including social, economic, and natural phenomena.
Comparison Chart
Definition
An indicator or sign of a condition
A result or outcome of a specific cause
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Context
Primarily medical
Broad, spanning multiple contexts
Diagnostic Value
Used to hint or indicate an underlying condition
Shows the direct outcome or consequence
Determinacy
Doesn't conclusively determine a cause
More definitive in nature
Relation to Cause and Effect
More associated with hinting at a potential underlying cause
Directly tied to the concept of cause leading to an outcome
Symptom and Effect Definitions
Symptom
An indicator of a particular disease or condition.
Fatigue and fever can be symptoms of the flu.
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Effect
A change that results when something is done or happens.
The new law had an immediate effect on citizens' rights.
Symptom
A physical or mental feature suggesting a particular disorder.
Memory loss is a symptom of Alzheimer's disease.
Effect
The impression produced, as by a particular environment or experience.
The lighting gave the room a cozy effect.
Symptom
A phenomenon that arises from and accompanies a particular disease or disorder.
Chest pain is a common symptom of heart conditions.
Effect
A scientific principle where one thing influences another.
The placebo effect demonstrates the power of belief in medicine.
Symptom
An outward sign of an underlying problem.
Persistent itching might be a symptom of an allergic reaction.
Effect
Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result.
Symptom
A characteristic sign or indicator of the existence of something else.
Decreased productivity can be a symptom of low morale.
Effect
The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result
The government's action had little effect on the trade imbalance.
Symptom
An indication of a disorder or disease, especially a subjective one such as pain, nausea, or weakness.
Effect
Advantage; avail
Used her words to great effect in influencing the jury.
Symptom
A characteristic sign or indication of the existence of something else
Drought and erratic rainfall as symptoms of climate change.
Effect
The condition of being in full force or execution; operativeness
A new regulation that goes into effect tomorrow.
Symptom
(medicine) A perceived change in some function, sensation or appearance of a person that indicates a disease or disorder, such as fever, headache or rash; strictly, a symptom is felt or experienced by the patient, while a sign can be detected by an observer.
Swollen breasts, morning sickness, and a missed period are classic symptoms of pregnancy.
Effect
Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention
The lighting effects emphasized the harsh atmosphere of the drama.
Symptom
(figuratively) A signal; anything that indicates, or is characteristic of, the presence of something else, especially of something undesirable.
Lying, hiding one's true feelings, and having affairs are typical symptoms of a doomed marriage.
Effect
A particular impression
Large windows that gave an effect of spaciousness.
Symptom
Any affection which accompanies disease; a perceptible change in the body or its functions, which indicates disease, or the kind or phases of disease; as, the causes of disease often lie beyond our sight, but we learn their nature by the symptoms exhibited.
Like the sick man, we are expiring with all sorts of good symptoms.
Effect
Production of a desired impression
Spent lavishly on dinner just for effect.
Symptom
A sign or token; that which indicates the existence of something else; as, corruption in elections is a symptom of the decay of public virtue.
Effect
The basic or general meaning; import
He said he was greatly worried, or words to that effect.
Symptom
(medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
Effect
Effects Movable belongings; goods.
Symptom
Anything that accompanies X and is regarded as an indication of X's existence
Effect
To bring about; make happen; cause or accomplish
Effect a cure for a disease.
Effect a change in policy. See Usage Note at affect1.
Effect
The result or outcome of a cause.
The effect of the hurricane was a devastated landscape.
Effect
Impression left on the mind; sensation produced.
Effect
Execution; performance; realization; operation.
Effect
(uncountable) The state of being binding and enforceable, as in a rule, policy, or law.
The new law will come into effect on the first day of next year.
Effect
An illusion produced by technical means (as in "special effect")
The effect of flying was most convincing.
Effect
(sound engineering) An alteration, or device for producing an alteration, in sound after it has been produced by an instrument.
I use an echo effect here to make the sound more mysterious.
I just bought a couple of great effects.
Effect
A scientific phenomenon, usually named after its discoverer.
Doppler effect
Effect
Belongings, usually as personal effects.
Effect
Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; with to.
Effect
(obsolete) Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance.
Effect
(obsolete) Manifestation; expression; sign.
Effect
(transitive) To make or bring about; to implement.
The best way to effect change is to work with existing stakeholders.
Effect
Misspelling of affect
Effect
Execution; performance; realization; operation; as, the law goes into effect in May.
That no compunctious visitings of natureShake my fell purpose, nor keep peace betweenThe effect and it.
Effect
Manifestation; expression; sign.
All the large effectsThat troop with majesty.
Effect
In general: That which is produced by an agent or cause; the event which follows immediately from an antecedent, called the cause; result; consequence; outcome; fruit; as, the effect of luxury.
The effect is the unfailing index of the amount of the cause.
Effect
Impression left on the mind; sensation produced.
Patchwork . . . introduced for oratorical effect.
The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely nature of the place.
Effect
Power to produce results; efficiency; force; importance; account; as, to speak with effect.
Effect
Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; - with to.
They spake to her to that effect.
Effect
The purport; the sum and substance.
Effect
Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance.
No other in effect than what it seems.
Effect
Goods; movables; personal estate; - sometimes used to embrace real as well as personal property; as, the people escaped from the town with their effects.
Resolving all events, with their effectsAnd manifold results, into the willAnd arbitration wise of the Supreme.
Shun the bitter consequence, for know,The day thou eatest thereof, . . . thou shalt die.
Effect
To produce, as a cause or agent; to cause to be.
So great a body such exploits to effect.
Effect
To bring to pass; to execute; to enforce; to achieve; to accomplish.
To effect that which the divine counsels had decreed.
They sailed away without effecting their purpose.
Effect
A phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon;
The magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise
His decision had depressing consequences for business
He acted very wise after the event
Effect
An outward appearance;
He made a good impression
I wanted to create an impression of success
She retained that bold effect in her reproductions of the original painting
Effect
(of a law) having legal validity;
The law is still in effect
Effect
A symptom caused by an illness or a drug;
The effects of sleep loss
The effect of the anesthetic
Effect
An impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived);
He just did it for effect
Effect
The central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
Effect
Produce;
The scientists set up a shockwave
Effect
Act so as to bring into existence;
Effect a change
Effect
An outcome or result of a particular process or event.
The effect of the hurricane was devastation across the coast.
Effect
A phenomenon that follows and is caused by a particular action.
Greenhouse gases have a warming effect on the planet.
FAQs
Is a symptom always negative?
Not always, but symptoms often indicate underlying issues needing attention.
How is an effect different from a result?
An effect is a broad outcome, while a result is more specific to particular circumstances.
What is a symptom in medical terms?
A symptom is a sign or indicator of a particular disease or condition.
Can a symptom be silent or unnoticeable?
Yes, some conditions have "silent" symptoms that aren't immediately obvious.
Are symptoms always physical?
No, they can be mental or emotional, like anxiety or mood swings.
What's the "cause and effect" relationship?
It's the principle where a specific cause leads directly to a particular effect.
Can one cause have multiple effects?
Yes, a single cause can lead to various effects.
Are symptoms the same as diseases?
No, symptoms are indicators of potential diseases, not the diseases themselves.
Can one symptom be linked to multiple conditions?
Yes, like a fever being a symptom for many illnesses.
Is "aftereffect" the same as "effect"?
An aftereffect is a specific type of effect occurring after an event or action.
How can one identify the cause of a symptom?
Through medical evaluation, testing, and eliminating other potential causes.
Can effects ever be neutral?
Yes, not all effects are positive or negative; some might be neutral in impact.
Do all actions have effects?
In some manner, yes, every action has an associated effect or consequence.
Can effects be both immediate and long-term?
Yes, effects can manifest quickly or over extended periods.
Can effects be reversed?
Some can, depending on the nature and permanence of the cause.
What's a side effect?
It's an unintended outcome, often related to medications or treatments.
Is there a difference between symptom and sign?
Yes, a symptom is felt by the patient, while a sign is observable by others.
How do doctors diagnose based on symptoms?
They evaluate symptoms in context, with tests and patient history to identify conditions.
How do "cause and effect" diagrams help?
They visually map out relationships between causes and their potential effects.
Can a symptom itself cause other symptoms?
Yes, like how pain (a symptom) can lead to sleeplessness (another symptom).
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
