  We review the current situation of the pattern of chiral symmetry
restoration. In particular, we analyze partner degeneration for $O(4)$ and
$U(1)_A$ symmetries within the context of Ward Identities and Effective
Theories. The application of Ward Identities to the thermal scaling of
screening masses is also discussed. We present relevant observables for which
an Effective Theory description in terms of Chiral Perturbation Theory and its
unitarized extension are compatible with lattice data even around the
transition region. We pay special attention to the role of strangeness in this
context.
