Introduction to Epidemiology 6th Edition by Ray M Merrill

Exercise 7

Much concern was given to whether a case was symptomatic or asymptomatic.What is the significance of these two states of illness, and why is this important in this particular disease?

Step 1 of 3

Symptomatic diseases or illnesses are those in which symptoms are observed in the body which can be clearly seen. Some of symptoms like fever, headache or any other body parts ache, weakness, nausea, and fluctuation of pulse rates are common for mostly all diseases. Some symptomatic diseases are smallpox, measles, diarrhea, typhoid, shigellosis, and many others.

Asymptomatic diseases are those diseases which do not show any symptoms at all. In this case, the person who is infected does not develop any signs or symptoms which can be noticed. Some asymptomatic diseases are cytomegalovirus, multiple sclerosis, HIV (Human Immuno Deficiency Virus), and many others.