Medical Symbols

Medical personnel have their own special shorthand, made up of abbreviations and symbols.  You may come across a number of these during your treatment or within your medical records.

Our database of symbols is as follows:

0= not present or no abnormality
+/- = uncertain/equivocal
+ = present or noted
++ = present significantly
+++ = much/many or present in excess
# = fracture
Δ = diagnosis
diff. Δ or Δ Δ = differential diagnosis
† = up, increasing
↓= down, decreasing
3 = OK or satisfactory
1/7 = 1 day
2/52 = 2 weeks
3/12 = 3 months
T-14 = term less 2 weeks
T+7 = term plus 1 week
35+4/40 = 35 weeks and 4 days
37+3/40 = 37 weeks and 3 days