Word of Caution: None of the self-diagnostic apps listed below replace a doctor’s guidance and expertise at any level. I recommend taking experts’ advice even if the self-diagnosis results are normal.
Best Self Diagnosis Apps
1. Diagnose Yourself
This one is a fairly easy-to-use app with a few common symptoms listed on the homepage. You can pick and choose specific symptoms such as pain, fever, cough, skin symptoms, etc. All the info listed in the app is in plain text. So if you’re someone who prefers reading rather than a fancy animated UI, try this one. Diagnose Yourself also has a ‘Pay a Doctor’ and ‘Ask’ section. However, I recommend vising a doctor in person for a better diagnosis rather than paying a virtual one. Another limitation is the paywall which locks out most of the content. You get a free 7-day trial after which it costs $3.5/monthly. Get Diagnose Yourself on Android
2. WebMD: Symptoms
WebMD’s mobile app needs no introduction. It is not only recommended to check symptoms but also for finding info on drugs, health specialists, general health-related articles, etc. You simply have to enter your age and gender to begin. Moreover, you can then tap on the symptom area in the 3D figure and pick ailments from the list. Pro-tip, adding more than one symptom increases the chances of getting accurate results. The results strength is also shown in the bottom bar while you add symptoms. WebMD allows you to add current medications and past conditions which is a missing feature in self-diagnosis apps. Get WebMD: Symptoms for (iOS | Android)
3. Ada – Check Your Health
If you’re looking for a quick symptom checker, you might want to skip Ada. Unlike other apps, you are required to sign-up and the minimum age requirement is 16 years. In addition to general symptom assessment, it also considers COVID-19 symptoms. Ada is essentially an AI bot, hence it will create and then update your personal profile as you use the app. If you do not understand a specific question, it also shows instructions, diagrams to make the user answer correctly. The symptom report is easy to understand. It includes possible causes, whether you need an emergency medical intervention or not, and an overview of all the symptoms. Apart from that, you can check out a detailed summary of the cause along with pictures, risks, prevention, treatment, etc. Get Ada- Check Your Health for (iOS | Android) Note: Self-diagnosis can be prone to error. Make sure you consult a health specialist rather than treating yourself.
4. Mind Diagnostics
Mental illness is a common issue amongst million in the United States. It’s hardly talked about and is often seen as taboo. So, if you aren’t very confident about discussing it with your friends or family, taking this test might be a good first step. You have an array of tests like depression, anxiety, and PTSD to choose from. The app specifies the number of questions in each diagnosis before you begin. You can add notes, mail the test results and even check test history on individual test thumbnails. Get Mind Diagnostics for (iOS | Android)
5. Symptomate
If you do not prefer using your e-mail ID or phone number, Symptomate is a good self-diagnose web app. It doesn’t require any sign-in, so your identity remains as anonymous as possible. The entire self-diagnosis process hardly takes 2-3 minutes to complete. You can add symptoms from the search option or tap on the 3D model to choose a body part. Once you’re done with adding symptoms and answering relevant questions related to them, the results will show you possible causes, suggested tests, and whether you should visit a doctor right away or not. Visit Symptomate
6. Mayo Clinic Symptom Checker
Mayo Clinic needs no introduction, but did you know they also have an online symptom check in place? It’s more comprehensive than the previous one and even lists symptoms for children. You only have to go through two steps which are choosing a symptom and selecting related factors before you get the cause results. What I like most about this website is that it lists studies and references at the end of the results. This makes it even more useful for someone who wants to research more about the illness. If you’re in the U.S., you can also quickly book an appointment with a specialist on the same website. Visit Mayo Clinic Symptom Checker The tool can be used by anyone to self-diagnose Coronavirus and get tips to protect yourself from the same. Similar to other tools listed here, it is an objective-styled test. Although the test is very brief and you might already know about most of the symptoms, updated resource always comes in handy. It also has a section on COVID-19 vaccines. So you can read about the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine safety, and also find info on vaccination drives. Note: The tool is not a substitute for professional advice. If you feel severe shortness of breath or high fever, call 911. Visit Coronavirus Self-Checker
Closing Remarks: Should you Use Self Diagnosis App and Websites?
The truth is that no self-diagnosis app or website can replace the experience of a doctor. So rather than totally depending on self-diagnosis, always consult your doctor. This will not only prevent you from making your ailment severe, but you’ll be able to understand the illness better. So, consider self-diagnosis as the last resort when there no other possibility and the symptoms aren’t very serious. Also Read: 7 Best Medical Records Apps For Android & iOS in Case of Emergencies
