Top Docs 2008 Part II: What to Know

“I’ve Got What?”
Boston’s in-house hypochondriac, Francis Storrs, takes a break from palpating his neck glands to test-drive three automated diagnosis dispensers.

YourDiagnosis
The complaint: Earache
The consult: Mimicking a first-time doctor’s visit, YourDiagnosis begins with a personal history that can stretch to 45 minutes. At the end, I receive this message: “Please click on the continue button to allow [us] to generate a list of diseases that you might have.” That sounds promising.
The diagnosis: Factoring in my sore throat and muscle ache, the site suggests I have a close-to-50-percent chance of tonsillitis. I should see a doctor. Today.

WebMD Symptom Checker
The complaint: Cough
The consult: WebMD is unique in offering a long list of possible ailments after users select their first symptom. A hacking cough gets me 20, and a half-hour lost to reading about all the ways I can expire. But there’s also comfort in knowing the worst-case scenario (that would be tuberculosis) and being able to cross-reference the list with other symptoms.
The diagnosis: Adding in a headache and fever, the possibilities now include everything from sunburn to Legionnaires’ disease. This is not helping.

AOL Health Symptom Checker
The complaint: Sore throat
The consult: AOL’s bare-bones program leads me through a flow chart of possible companion symptoms—no, I’m not drooling; yes, I have a tickle in my throat—on the way to a probable culprit.
The diagnosis: Allergies. Try saline nasal spray, the site says, but if I’m not feeling better in a week, I should consult a doctor. Best advice yet.