Symptom vs. Effect — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
A symptom is a sign indicating a condition or illness, whereas an effect is a result or outcome of a cause.
Difference Between Symptom and Effect
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A symptom often refers to a physical or mental feature observed in an individual, suggesting the presence of an underlying disease or condition. In the medical realm, symptoms are often the complaints or observations patients bring to a physician. On the other hand, the term effect encompasses a broader spectrum and denotes a change that results due to a specific cause.
While symptoms are typically associated with medical conditions or diseases, their presence indicates something might be amiss in the body or mind. Effects, conversely, are observed in various contexts, ranging from natural phenomena to human actions. For instance, the melting of glaciers due to global warming is an effect, not a symptom.
The difference between symptom and effect lies in their application. A symptom is specific to the realm of health and wellness, signaling something about a patient's condition. Effects are more general, referring to outcomes or changes that result from particular causes, irrespective of the field.
Symptoms, being indicative of a condition, can sometimes be subjective, based on an individual's perception or experience. Effects, however, are often objective outcomes or consequences that can be directly observed or measured. For instance, while fatigue might be a symptom of anemia, the decrease in red blood cells is an effect of the condition.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
A sign indicating a condition or illness.
A result or outcome of a cause.
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Typical Association
Often related to medical or health contexts.
Broadly associated with causes in various contexts.
Nature
Indicative; suggests the presence of something.
Consequential; follows a cause.
Subjectivity
Can be subjective, based on individual experience.
More objective, resulting from specific actions or causes.
Scope
More specific, often pertaining to health.
Wider scope, applicable in various situations and fields.
Compare with Definitions
Symptom
A physical or mental indication of a disease or disorder.
A persistent cough is a symptom of bronchitis.
Effect
An impression left on the mind or emotions.
The movie had a profound effect on me.
Symptom
A manifestation or sign of a specific condition.
Fatigue and headache are common symptoms of dehydration.
Effect
Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result.
Symptom
An observable characteristic or behavior of an individual.
Forgetfulness can be a symptom of stress.
Effect
The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result
The government's action had little effect on the trade imbalance.
Symptom
A characteristic sign or indication of the existence of something else
Drought and erratic rainfall as symptoms of climate change.
Effect
Advantage; avail
Used her words to great effect in influencing the jury.
Symptom
An indication of a disorder or disease, especially a subjective one such as pain, nausea, or weakness.
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.
Symptom
A feature signifying something isn't right.
Recurring errors can be a symptom of a faulty system.
Effect
The result or outcome of a cause.
The effect of the hurricane was a devastated landscape.
Symptom
An indicator hinting at an underlying problem.
Declining sales might be a symptom of market saturation.
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
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
A change produced by an action or cause.
The effect of the new law was immediate.
Effect
The outcome or result of a situation.
The hurricane had a devastating effect on the coastal towns.
Effect
A phenomenon that follows and results from an action.
The greenhouse effect contributes to global warming.
Effect
The power to bring about outcomes.
The medicine takes effect within hours.
Common Curiosities
Can a symptom itself be an effect of something else?
Yes, for example, a fever (symptom) can be an effect of an infection.
Do symptoms always lead to a diagnosis?
Not always, symptoms can sometimes be non-specific or related to multiple conditions.
Are symptoms always linked to illnesses?
No, symptoms can also be benign or linked to temporary conditions.
Can an effect be both positive and negative?
Yes, effects can be either beneficial or detrimental, depending on the cause.
Can effects be immediate?
Yes, some effects can be seen immediately after a cause, while others might take time.
Are all symptoms negative?
No, some symptoms might be neutral or even positive, depending on the context.
What's the difference between cause and effect?
A cause is what makes something happen, while an effect is what happens as a result of the cause.
Can an effect exist without a direct cause?
Typically, an effect has a preceding cause, but the cause might not always be immediately obvious.
How are symptoms and effects used in everyday language?
While "symptom" often refers to health, "effect" is used broadly, from discussing results of actions to changes in situations.
Is it possible to have multiple symptoms for one condition?
Yes, many conditions have a range of symptoms.
Can one cause lead to multiple effects?
Yes, a single cause can result in several outcomes or effects.
How are symptoms identified?
Symptoms can be self-reported, observed by others, or identified through medical tests and examinations.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
