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Online Symptom Checkers

Not sure if your current health issue is worth a trip to the doctor? An online symptom checker can help you decide.

My favorite online symptom checker is at www.WebMD.com — I tend to go there first with most of my health questions. However, lots of sites have similar programs that can help you decide whether or not you need a doctor. I was browsing through the one on MSN.com just the other day.

Why use an online symptom checker? There are some times when you know you have a medical emergency on your hands — severe bleeding, broken bones, heart attack. There are some times when you’re really sick and need attention.

Then there are those times when you’re kinda sick. Maybe it’s a cold, maybe it’s something else… but you’re not sure. I wasn’t sure if I needed a doctor when I hurt my foot (and suspected a stress fracture). The online symptom checker came in handy then — I looked up my symptoms and read up on possible causes, and decided that it wasn’t an emergency situation.

Most online symptom checkers work the same way:

  1. Choose your gender (and sometimes your age or age range).
  2. Choose the area of the body where the issue is.
  3. A list of symptoms should appear next — choose the ones that apply to your current situation.
  4. A list of possible causes and courses of action will come up as you select symptoms. Use this information to help decide whether or not you need a doctor.

An online symptom checker is no substitute for a medical professional. In an emergency situation, your best bet may be to call 911 or head for the nearest emergency room. But in a non-emergency situation, an online symptom checker can help you figure out what’s going on and whether or not you need help.