Frequently Asked Questions

Go to the ER or call 911 for potentially life-threatening conditions:

• Chest pain or pressure, especially with sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath
• Severe difficulty breathing
• Signs of stroke: face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty (BE FAST)
• Severe allergic reaction with throat swelling or breathing difficulty
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Loss of consciousness or sudden confusion
• Severe abdominal pain
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm (also call 988)

When in doubt, go. It's better to be evaluated and learn it wasn't serious than to wait too long.

Urgent care is appropriate for:

• Moderate fever or flu symptoms
• Minor injuries (sprains, minor cuts, possible fractures)
• UTI symptoms
• Ear or sinus infections
• Rashes without other serious symptoms
• Issues that can't wait for a regular appointment but aren't emergencies

Your regular doctor is better for:

• Chronic conditions and ongoing symptoms
• Follow-up care
• Symptoms that have been present for weeks
• Medication management
• Preventive care and screenings

It depends on the symptom and severity:

• Immediately: Emergency symptoms (see above)
• Same day: High fever, moderate injuries, symptoms significantly affecting function
• 24-48 hours: Persistent vomiting/diarrhea, cold symptoms worsening after 10 days, painful urination
• 1-2 weeks: Mild symptoms lasting over 2 weeks, new but non-urgent concerns

A telehealth visit can often help determine urgency when you're unsure.

Warning signs that warrant medical attention:

• Sudden, severe onset ("worst ever" headache, sudden vision loss)
• Symptoms that rapidly worsen over hours
• High fever that doesn't respond to medication
• Blood where it shouldn't be (urine, stool, vomit, cough)
• Symptoms that wake you from sleep
• Unexplained weight loss
• Symptoms significantly impairing daily function

Trust your instincts. If something feels seriously wrong, it might be.

No. Symptom checkers are educational tools with important limitations:

• They cannot physically examine you
• They cannot run diagnostic tests
• They cannot account for your complete medical history
• They provide possibilities, not diagnoses

Use symptom checkers to understand possible causes, prepare for appointments, and decide on appropriate next steps. Only a healthcare provider can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Symptom checkers are designed to be cautious — they'd rather suggest you get checked for something serious that turns out to be nothing than miss a dangerous condition. Common symptoms can have many possible causes, ranging from benign to serious.

Focus on whether your symptoms match "red flag" warning signs. Most headaches are not brain tumors, and most abdominal pain is not appendicitis. But if you have concerning features, evaluation is worthwhile.

Studies show symptom checkers list the correct diagnosis in their suggestions about 50-60% of the time. They're better at identifying when you need urgent care (about 80% accurate) than at providing specific diagnoses.

They work best for common conditions and may miss rare diseases or atypical presentations. Use them as one input, not the final word.

Use the OLDCARTS framework:

• Onset — When did it start? Sudden or gradual?
• Location — Where exactly? Does it move or radiate?
• Duration — How long does it last?
• Characteristics — What does it feel like?
• Aggravating factors — What makes it worse?
• Relieving factors — What helps?
• Timing — Any patterns (time of day, after meals)?
• Severity — Rate it 1-10

Also mention what treatments you've tried and whether they helped.

Yes, but frame it appropriately. It's fine to say "I looked up my symptoms and I'm concerned about X" — good doctors appreciate informed patients. Just be open to other possibilities and don't insist on a particular diagnosis.

Bring your research as questions: "Could this be related to [condition]?" rather than statements: "I have [condition]."

You are your own best advocate. If you feel dismissed:

• Be specific about how symptoms affect your daily life
• Ask directly: "What could cause these symptoms?" and "What would you recommend if these don't improve?"
• Request documentation: "Please note in my chart that I reported [symptom] and was told [advice]"
• Ask for a referral or second opinion if symptoms persist
• Consider finding a provider who communicates better with you

Home treatment is generally appropriate for:

• Mild cold symptoms without high fever
• Minor headaches that respond to OTC medication
• Mild muscle aches and minor injuries
• Mild digestive upset
• Symptoms you've had before with known cause

Monitor symptoms for 24-72 hours. Seek care if they worsen, don't improve as expected, or if red flag symptoms develop.

Match the medication to the symptom:

• Fever/pain: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)
• Inflammation: Ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen
• Congestion: Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or oxymetazoline spray
• Allergies: Loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), or diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Cough: Dextromethorphan (for dry cough), guaifenesin (for chest congestion)

Check for drug interactions with your existing medications, and consult a pharmacist if unsure.

Not exactly. You need adequate nutrition and hydration for both. The key points:

• Stay hydrated — this is the most important thing
• Eat what you can tolerate — loss of appetite during illness is normal
• Don't force large meals — small, frequent intake is fine
• Focus on easy-to-digest foods when sick