Skip to main content

    Symptom Checkers

    For 3 AM "is this normal?" worries.

    WebMD Symptom Checker

    FREE

    Familiar UI. Senior-friendly. Asks questions, suggests possibilities.

    Best familiar.

    Mayo Clinic Symptom Checker

    FREE

    From respected institution. Accurate but conservative.

    Best trusted.

    Ada Health

    FREE app

    AI-powered. More accurate than rivals. UK-based.

    Best AI.

    Buoy Health

    FREE

    Conversational. Suggests next steps (urgent care, ER, doctor).

    Best for next steps.

    Apple Health Sharing + ChatGPT

    FREE

    Describe symptoms to ChatGPT — research-quality summary. NOT diagnosis.

    Best AI explanation.

    Reality check

    • Symptom checkers are RIGHT 30-50% of the time.
    • They tend to over-warn (cancer pops up for paper cuts).
    • Use to TRIAGE — am I OK to wait? Need urgent care? ER?
    • Don't self-treat based on results.
    • Can be useful preparation for a doctor visit.

    When to skip checker + go to ER

    • Chest pain, especially with arm/jaw pain.
    • Sudden severe headache "worst of life".
    • One-sided weakness or face drooping (stroke).
    • Trouble speaking suddenly.
    • Difficulty breathing.
    • Severe abdominal pain.
    • Heavy bleeding that won't stop.
    • High fever (over 103°F) + confusion.
    • Suspected fracture after fall.

    Better than apps — call

    • Doctor's nurse line — most practices have one. Free.
    • Insurance nurse hotline — Anthem, BCBS, Aetna offer free nurse calls 24/7.
    • 988 — mental health crisis.
    • Poison Control — 1-800-222-1222.
    • Telehealth — see /tools/telehealth-basics.

    Trust your gut

    Studies show patients who say "something feels wrong" + go to ER are usually right. Symptom checkers are tools — not replacements for instinct + doctor advice. If something feels seriously off, get checked.