Choose a symptom and answer simple questions using our physician-reviewed symptom checker to find more information on your health issue.
Do you have a fever?
Choose an option below.
Do you have body aches, headache, cough, or runny nose?
You probably have a COLD or FLU.
Are you vomiting or do you have nausea or diarrhea?
You may have a STOMACH VIRUS (GASTROENTERITIS).
When you look at the back of your throat, do you see white patches on your tonsils?
You may have STREP THROAT or MONONUCLEOSIS (MONO).
Do you have a persistent cough or are you coughing mucus?
These symptoms may be from BRONCHITIS, PNEUMONIA, or POST-NASAL DRIP.
Is the person a child with a harsh barking cough?
Is the person a child with a harsh barking cough (sounds like a seal)?
Do you have small, open sores on your tongue, inside your lips, or on the sides or back of your mouth?
These sores are called CANKER SORES or APHTHOUS ULCERS. They usually occur by themselves or potentially with stress or other viral illnesses.
Is the skin in your mouth peeling, and are your tongue and gums swollen and red?
This may be from TRENCH MOUTH, an infection of the gums, teeth, and other tissues. A rare drug reaction, STEVENS-JOHNSON REACTION, may also cause this.
Do you have white patches and redness on your tongue or on the sides or back of your mouth?
You may have ORAL THRUSH, a yeast infection in your mouth.
Does your tongue look like the outside of a strawberry? Do you also have fever?
In children, this can be KAWASAKI DISEASE, a condition that can also affect their heart.
Drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. Children should be given non-aspirin medicine (acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen) for the fever. Do not give cough/cold medications to children under 5 years. If the cold lasts longer than two to three days, see your doctor.
Drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest. Use an anti-nausea and/or antidiarrheal medicine. See your doctor if symptoms get worse, if they last longer than a week, or if you become dehydrated or can’t keep liquids down.
See your doctor.
These illnesses need prescription treatments. See your doctor.
A dry barking cough often means a viral infection called CROUP or, less commonly, EPIGLOTTITIS, which is an emergency.
Most of these sores will heal in 7 to 14 days. Use an anesthetic spray or an analgesic medicine. If the sores are severe, last longer than expected, or are accompanied by other symptoms, see your doctor for a prescription for dental steroid paste.
See your dentist or doctor. Poor dental hygiene may lead to this disease. Brush your teeth and floss as recommended by your dentist. Use over-the-counter pain medications to relieve discomfort.
This may be a simple infection, or it may come from another, more serious illness. You may be able to control the infection by eating unsweetened yogurt (with live cultures) or taking acidophilus. This may help restore normal bacteria in your body. See your doctor if it returns or doesn’t go away.
See your doctor immediately or take your child to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance.
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.
DISCLAIMER
Symptom Checker content is provided for informational purposes only. This tool may leverage certain generative artificial intelligence tools to generate results, but you should not rely on this tool as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health or the information provided when you use this tool, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have read using this tool or on the FamilyDoctor.org website. Use this content solely at your own risk. If you think you may have a medical emergency, dial 911.
