Check if your sore throat is strep or viral with AI symptom logic

How the AI Chatbot Works

This chatbot helps you understand your sore throat symptoms by applying medical logic similar to what doctors use. It focuses on key signs: fever, swollen lymph nodes, white patches on your throat (exudate), and whether you have a cough. You’ll answer questions about these symptoms, and the chatbot will analyze them using criteria trusted by experts.

Here’s how to use it:

• Describe your symptoms clearly (e.g., “My throat hurts, and I have a fever but no cough”).
• Answer follow-up questions about how long symptoms have lasted, recent exposures, or other concerns.
• Review the summary of your risk level for strep vs. viral infection and suggested next steps.

The chatbot doesn’t replace a doctor but helps you organize your thoughts for a telehealth visit or in-person consultation.

Key Features and Their Health Impact

Uses Centor Criteria

The chatbot applies the Centor criteria, a standard method for assessing sore throats. It checks four factors:

• Fever (temperature over 99.9°F)
• Tonsillar exudate (white/yellow patches on the throat)
• Tender lymph nodes (swollen glands in the neck)
• Absence of cough

Each factor adds a point to your risk score. A higher score suggests a stronger chance of strep, but only a doctor can confirm it. This helps prioritize care and avoid unnecessary testing.

Screens for Exudate, Fever, and Cough Absence

Strep often causes visible white patches, fever, and no cough. Viral infections usually come with a cough and runny nose. By highlighting these differences, the chatbot guides you to notice critical clues, like whether your throat pain is isolated or part of a broader cold.

Adjusts for Exposure Risk

If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has strep, the chatbot updates its analysis. This adjustment reflects real-world risks, helping you decide if a rapid test or antibiotic might be needed even with milder symptoms.

Differentiates Bacterial vs. Viral Sore Throat

Bacterial strep requires antibiotics; viral cases don’t. Misusing antibiotics harms your gut microbiome and contributes to drug-resistant infections. The chatbot emphasizes this distinction to reduce unnecessary prescriptions while ensuring you recognize when to seek care.

Aligns with IDSA Guidelines

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends limiting strep tests to patients with high Centor scores. The chatbot follows these guidelines, encouraging targeted testing to avoid false positives and wasted time.

Short-term benefits: Faster symptom recognition, better conversations with providers, and reduced risk of complications like dehydration or spreading strep.
Long-term benefits: Lower antibiotic overuse rates and fewer resistant infections. Viral cases focus on rest and hydration, promoting natural immunity.

Practical Tips for Using the Chatbot

• Be specific when describing symptoms. Instead of “my throat hurts,” say “pain started 2 days ago, no cough, and I feel feverish.”
• Check your exposure history. If a family member or coworker tested positive for strep, mention this to refine results.
• Use symptom tracking tools. Jot down fever spikes or pain levels before chatting—this helps the AI analyze patterns.
• Pair with a telehealth visit. The chatbot’s summary can guide virtual consultations, saving time for both you and your provider.

Managing Symptoms Based on Results

If the chatbot suggests a higher risk of strep:

• Watch for red flags: difficulty swallowing, breathing, or fever over 103°F.
• Plan a visit to confirm with a rapid strep test.
• Practice good hygiene—strep spreads easily!

If viral is more likely:

• Rest, hydration, and OTC pain relievers (like acetaminophen) can ease discomfort.
• Saltwater gargles and throat lozenges soothe irritation.
• Avoid contact with others until symptoms subside.

Final Recommendations

• Talk to the chatbot early. It’s most helpful within the first 3 days of symptoms.
• Follow its guidance to decide whether to seek a doctor. If strep is suspected, a swab test is still needed.
• Focus on prevention. Wash hands after coughing, avoid sharing utensils, and disinfect surfaces during outbreaks.
• Set up a health assistant. If you’d like ongoing support, the chatbot can connect you to a personalized assistant via Telegram or the website. Name your budget—every user’s situation is different.

Remember, your health matters. This tool empowers you to act confidently, whether that means scheduling a test or giving your body time to heal naturally. Stay informed, stay proactive!