What term describes a subjective indication of disease experienced by a patient?

The term that describes a subjective indication of disease experienced by a patient is "symptom." Symptoms are the sensations or changes in bodily functions that individuals report to healthcare providers, indicating that something may be wrong with their health. These feelings or experiences can include pain, fatigue, dizziness, or any other personal experience reflecting an underlying health issue.

In the context of medicine, the distinction between symptoms and other terms is important. For example, while "disorder" generally refers to a disruption of normal bodily functions or structures, it does not capture the patient's personal experience of illness. "Diagnosis," on the other hand, is the process of identifying a disease based on the symptoms, medical history, and often physical examination or diagnostic tests. "Condition" is a broader term that can refer to either a symptom, a disease, or a specific state of health but does not specifically denote the subjective experience of the patient. Therefore, "symptom" is the most appropriate term to describe what a patient experiences that points toward a disease.