PsychologyAugust 12, 2026

asymptomatic

AY-simp-tuh-MAT-ik

Definition

Presenting or showing no symptoms of a disease or condition.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'asymptōtos', meaning 'not falling together.' It combines the prefix 'a-' (without) and 'symptom' from the Greek 'symptōma' (an occurrence or chance).

In the news

The term is used to describe individuals who carry a disease or infection without displaying outward signs, which often complicates clinical trial recruitment and ethics.

Medical ethics and IRB committees make two errors: they block useful research, they permit useless research

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drvinayprasad.com

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