When AI Became My Doctor: A Flu Survival Story

It started with that familiar feeling we all dread – a slight joint ache, a dull headache that wouldn't shift, and those telltale shivers creeping in uninvited. By Tuesday, I was on the train to work, gazing out the window with that sinking "I'm definitely coming down with something" feeling settling into my bones.

Mid-afternoon arrived with a vengeance. My head felt like it was hosting its own heavy metal festival – complete with someone using my brain as a drum kit. Time to admit defeat and head home before I became the office's very own Patient Zero.

That night, things went from bad to "please-end-my-suffering" worse. Full-body shivers that made my teeth chatter, face pain that defied explanation, and a headache so intense I contemplated whether self-trepanation might actually be a reasonable option. Wednesday morning, I waved the white flag and called in sick. What followed was nearly three weeks of flu-induced misery that had me questioning whether I'd ever feel normal again.

The Doctor Dilemma

When you're sick, you typically have two options:

1. Call your GP, only to discover the next available appointment is sometime after the next royal wedding

2. Google your symptoms and convince yourself you've contracted some rare tropical disease last seen in Victorian explorers

But this time, I took a different approach. In my feverish state, I decided to consult ChatGPT about my symptoms. Little did I know this AI would become my virtual doctor, offering daily advice that was surprisingly on point.

Week One: The "Why Is Everything Awful?" Phase

This was peak misery – the kind where even your hair hurts. I was a shivering, aching mess with a head that felt like it might explode at any moment.

I messaged ChatGPT: "I've got body aches, a rough chest, splitting headache, and my face hurts. Feels like flu, but no runny nose. What's happening to me?"

The response was reassuringly straightforward: "Sounds viral. Stay hydrated, rest, try steam inhalation, and if your headache gets worse, monitor for sinus issues."

No drama, no WebMD-style "it could be a rare brain-eating amoeba" suggestions – just practical advice that actually helped:

• Honey and lemon for my throat

• Ibuprofen for the face pain (which felt like someone had punched me in the sinuses)

• Steam inhalation for my aching eyes and throbbing head

• Electrolyte drinks to prevent me from turning into human jerky

And you know what? It worked. Day by day, the AI adjusted its recommendations based on how my symptoms were changing.

Week Two: The "Am I Coughing Up a Lung?" Phase

The fever finally subsided, but my chest became Ground Zero for World War Phlegm. Each cough felt like I was trying to expel parts of my actual soul, along with some rather concerning grey mucus.

My panicked message: "Coughing up thick grey stuff, hurts when I cough. Should I write my will?"

ChatGPT remained calm: "If the mucus is dark green, brown, or bloody, see a doctor. Otherwise, it's likely post-viral or mild bronchitis. Try steam inhalation, stay hydrated, and avoid smoking or alcohol to reduce inflammation."

I wasn't thrilled about the "avoid alcohol" part (I mean, if you can't have a medicinal red wine when you're sick, when can you?), but I had to admit the advice made sense. I doubled down on the steam therapy, tried a saline nasal rinse that made me feel like I was waterboarding myself, and reluctantly put the wine back in the rack. Within days, breathing no longer felt like an extreme sport.

Week Three: The "Why Am I Still Exhausted?" Phase

By now, the dramatic symptoms had faded, but I was left with fatigue so intense that making a cup of tea felt like climbing Everest. My phone battery lasted longer than I did on a full charge.

I asked: "Why do I feel like I've been hit by a truck? No fever, no cough, just completely wiped out."

ChatGPT explained: "Your immune system is recovering from a viral attack. This is common post-flu. Stay hydrated, eat nutrient-rich foods, and avoid overexertion. It should lift in a few days."

So I embraced my inner sloth, napped whenever possible, and focused on protein-rich foods. Slowly but surely, my energy levels crawled back from the abyss.

The Surprising Verdict: AI Actually Nailed It

Looking back over those three weeks, I realized something unexpected – the AI had:

✅ Accurately tracked my changing symptoms

✅ Provided practical, effective advice for each stage

✅ Warned me about red flags to watch for (without causing unnecessary panic)

✅ Suggested treatments that genuinely helped

At no point did it tell me I was dying or that it was "probably just stress" (I'm looking at you, that one GP I saw in 2019). It was informative, responsive, and reassuring – without the faff of trying to navigate the NHS appointment lottery.

So, Would I Trust AI With My Health Again?

Absolutely. Not for performing surgery or diagnosing complex conditions, obviously – but for tracking symptoms, suggesting home remedies, and helping decide when a proper medical visit is necessary? It's genuinely brilliant.

If you've ever found yourself in a 3 AM Google spiral, convinced that your headache is actually a rare neurological condition, I'd recommend giving AI a try instead. It's like having a GP who doesn't rush you out the door after exactly 7 minutes – minus the cold stethoscope and judgmental eyebrow raise when you admit how much caffeine you consume.

Would I still see a real GP if things got serious? Of course. But for everyday health questions and symptom checking? AI has earned a permanent spot in my digital medicine cabinet.

The Future: Human + AI Healthcare?

Perhaps the future isn't about replacing doctors with AI but creating a partnership where AI handles the routine stuff, freeing up human doctors for more complex cases. Until that happens, though, I know where I'm turning next time I feel those first ominous flu symptoms creeping in.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to satisfy these bizarre post-viral sugar cravings that even ChatGPT couldn't explain. Anyone else suddenly crave Jaffa Cakes after being ill, or is that just me?