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    Symptom Checker Apps

    Don\'t Google "headache" alone. Use these instead.

    Call 911 if

    • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or pressure.
    • One-sided weakness, slurred speech, droopy face (stroke).
    • Severe head injury after fall.
    • Allergic reaction with throat swelling.
    • Sudden severe headache "worst ever".
    • Major bleeding.

    Don\'t open an app. Call 911.

    MedlinePlus (free)

    FREE — US government

    Trustworthy plain-English health info from the National Library of Medicine. Best non-scary first stop.

    medlineplus.gov.

    Mayo Clinic Symptom Checker

    FREE

    Major US hospital. Reliable, conservative.

    Asks short questions; gives broad list of possibilities.

    Ada Health (free app)

    FREE

    AI-style symptom interview. 5 minutes. Suggests likely conditions and urgency.

    Doesn't share data with insurers.

    WebMD

    FREE with ads

    Most well-known. Tendency to over-warn — every headache becomes "could be a brain tumor".

    Use sparingly. Easy to spiral.

    Healthwise / patient portals

    FREE if your doctor uses it

    Symptom checker INSIDE your patient portal — sends results to your real doctor.

    Best when available.

    NHS UK app

    FREE

    British. Surprisingly useful in US — clean, conservative, guides you "what to do tonight".

    Best non-alarmist tone.

    ChatGPT / Claude

    Free

    For UNDERSTANDING what your doctor said. "What does this lab result mean in plain English?"

    NOT for diagnosis. For interpreting after a doctor visit.

    Better than symptom checkers

    • Your patient portal\'s message feature — message your real doctor. Free, replies usually in 1-2 days.
    • Telehealth (Teladoc, Amwell) — 30-minute video call with real doctor. Can prescribe.
    • Pharmacist consultation — free at every pharmacy. Excellent for "should I see a doctor?" advice.
    • Nurse hotline — many insurance plans have a 24/7 free nurse hotline. Number on your card.

    Use AI carefully

    Don\'t ask ChatGPT "Do I have cancer?" — it\'s not a diagnostic tool. DO ask it: "Help me prepare 5 questions to ask my doctor about [condition]" or "Translate this lab report into plain English". Good companion, not a substitute.