Symptom check on the Internet: These are the most frequently googled diseases and symptoms in Germany
22.08.2023 18:05
Many people first research online before deciding to see a doctor. However, such self-diagnosis can be fraught with many complications. Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch investigated which illnesses and symptoms were most frequently googled in Germany within a year, from May 2022 to May 2023.
As expected, the most frequently searched disease on Google during this period was by far coronavirus. People in Germany searched for this keyword one million times. Combined with the terms Covid and Covid-19, this results in a search volume of 1,123,600. Scarlet fever ranks second with a volume of 450,000 searches. The third most frequently searched diseases by those affected or interested in it are shingles and hemorrhoids. Both terms have a search volume of 368,000 each, which is almost five times higher than the search volume for migraine (74,000). Among the top ten most googled diseases and symptoms are other infectious diseases such as hand, foot, and mouth disease, chickenpox, and cystitis, as well as types of cancer such as skin cancer in general and specific non-melanoma skin cancer. ADHD diagnoses not only went viral on TikTok and Instagram but also have a high search volume on Google (90,500).
Tim Steckel, hospital managing director, commented on the results: "The fact that coronavirus or Covid-19 emerged as the result with the highest search volume doesn't seem particularly surprising to me for the year examined, May 2022 to May 2023. However, I find the result that skin cancer, and especially non-melanoma skin cancer, is among the top ten most frequently googled diseases extremely exciting, but also worrying. Especially in such a suspected case, it is important that potential patients consult a dermatologist. Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch is ideally suited to diagnosing and treating a wide variety of cancers. Short distances within the hospital also make interdisciplinary diagnostics and treatment particularly efficient."
Prof. Dr. med. Henning T. Baberg, Medical Director of Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch and Chief Physician of Cardiology and Nephrology, notes a connection: "The connection between herpes zoster, also known as shingles, and coronavirus disease or vaccination has already been discussed in several medical studies. Based on the results of this research, we now see that shingles is currently ranked third among the most frequently googled diseases. Of course, a Google search can only reveal correlations at best, but the result still seems interesting to me. Overall, I naturally advise against self-diagnosis and recommend always consulting a trusted doctor. The symptoms of heart attacks, for example, can be very diffuse and also differ between the sexes. At Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch, we can provide patients with the best possible care and provide a reliable diagnosis."
All results of the study can be found here.