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WVU | Wellness

DON’T PLAY ‘DR. GOOGLE’

Delaney Nuckles Student Contributor, West Virginia University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WVU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

What is Dr. Google?

Dr. Google is used to describe the act of googling medical symptoms or health information. We all do it, even when words like “death” are thrown in our faces. Most of the time, online medical advice is too cautionary. We may be led to believe that we’re at risk of losing a limb or succumbing to a rare condition. In 2026, every part of our lives is influenced by technology. Thus, searching up symptoms is as easy as finding a recipe for cookies. With fast responses generated at our fingertips, we may ask ourselves: why seek out anything else? 

Googling Symptoms

If I open Google and search for a symptom such as, “my fingers are turning purple,” Google immediately tells me to seek medical attention. Google specifies that if the purplish coloration doesn’t fade after warming my hands, I should be concerned. With this, there is no timeline, range, or medical basis to support the claim. This advice can alarm a person and cause more fear than necessary. Being concerned about your health is not a bad thing, but feeding feelings of panic and irrationality is. 

Seeking Other Sources

Gherardi (2024), labels Dr. Google as being “potentially dangerous.” Instead of relying on a search engine for our medical diagnoses, there are other reputable ways to obtain advice. Reach out to your doctor, or seek urgent care if you feel something requires immediate attention. Websites like www.cdc.gov and nih.gov have medical research supporting them, and are great resources for medical questions. With science constantly evolving, we need to realize that things change and evolve. 

The AI Overview

One thing to be aware of is the AI overview. This overview generates a summary of what you searched for and generates a response immediately. AI overview causes “hallucinations,” making up responses that are regarded as true. AI overview can use limited sources and data to support its claim despite being stated in a firm and accurate tone. 

As Seen on TV…

You may have worked yourself up over researching medical conditions, which is normal. Think of TV ads for medications. The advertised drug always highlights multiple side effects including shortness of breath, heart attack, and, most severely, death. All medications must relay this information given the small likelihood of such effects. Are we less likely to pay attention to these commercials when we aren’t seeking a response? 

Next time you think about googling medical-related advice, approach it with caution and consideration. Check your sources, and if your fear persists, try talking to a friend, family member, or medical professional. Concern is normal, but remember to take Dr. Google’s remedies with a grain of salt.

Sources:

Dr. Google and online symptom checkers | Brown University Health. (n.d.). Brown University Health. https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/dr-google-and-online-symptom-checkers

National Institute on Aging. (2026, October 13). How to find reliable health information online. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-aging/how-find-reliable-health-information-online 

Delaney Nuckles

WVU '29

Hello! My name is Delaney, and I am a WV native from Charleston. Currently, I’m studying Public Health at West Virginia University. As someone who has always leaned more toward the humanities and liberal arts, my major satisfies both my passion for reading and writing and my interest in healthcare. Outside of school, my hobbies consist of making and drinking coffee, walking, journaling, and traveling to new places!