[hn_throw2025]

True story. A friend was having abdominal pain. They were avoiding seeking medical help, thinking it would pass. The health service is overstretched in our country, and GP appointments can take time. I couldn’t help wondering if it was something more serious, like appendicitis. I discussed their symptoms with a LLM which said it sounds very much like appendicitis, that they should go to the ER immediately, and that they should bring a bag because they would likely be admitted and surgery would follow ASAP.

Guess what happened.

[ndsipa_pomu]

You can diagnose appendicitis using boring old internet searches. As I remember, loss of appetite and the pain moving over time are key.

[hn_throw2025]

Boring old internet searches wouldn’t have taken in the specifics I supplied.

And they mostly just come to a conclusion, rather than actionable advice I was able to pass on, like take a bag and avoid eating because they might want to operate soon.