Because I am the nursing liaison, and because I live with a subject expert I was curious about the answers Bing would provide if given health information requests. My partner is a pharmacist and she thinks the answers were spot on.
At the suggestion of my partner I tried more complicated questions. What is the daily dose of doxirubicin and can I take doxirubicin while I am on warfarin?
In both cases the answers were rated as very good. I still recommend Medline Plus as the authoritative source for consumer level health information. Naturally you should tell a patron to speak to a doctor for any personal medical question, especially dosing questions, but as demonstration of the AI technology this exercise was very informative.
It goes without saying that if your doctor uses a tool like this, get another doctor.
Next time I will look at first year assignment type questions.
Question 1 Tylenol dosing
My first questions was ‘ how much tylenol can you take in a day?’
The answer was impressively accurate and readable. The embedded citations are from very reputable sources.
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Tylenol is a brand name for acetaminophen, a pain reliever and fever reducer. The dosage of Tylenol depends on your age, weight and the strength of the product⁴. According to the official website of Tylenol²³⁵, the general guidelines for adults are:
- For Extra Strength Tylenol (500 mg per tablet or capsule), do not take more than 6 tablets or capsules per day (3000 mg). Under supervision of a healthcare professional, you may take up to 8 tablets or capsules per day (4000 mg).
- For Regular Strength Tylenol (325 mg per tablet), do not take more than 10 tablets per day (3250 mg). Under supervision of a healthcare professional, you may take up to 12 tablets per day (3900 mg).
- Do not take Tylenol for more than 10 days unless directed by a doctor.
Please note that these are general recommendations and you should always follow the directions on the label or consult your doctor before taking any medication. Also, be careful not to take other products that contain acetaminophen as it may cause liver damage if you exceed the maximum daily dose⁴.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 2/23/2023(1) Tylenol: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings – Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/tylenol.html Accessed 2/23/2023.
(2) TYLENOL® Dosing Guidelines | TYLENOL® Professional. https://www.tylenolprofessional.com/adult-dosage Accessed 2/23/2023.
(3) Adult Dosing | TYLENOL®. https://www.tylenol.com/safety-dosing/dosage-for-adults Accessed 2/23/2023.
(4) Safe Acetaminophen Dosing For Adults | TYLENOL®. https://www.tylenol.ca/safety-dosing/adult/dosage-for-adults Accessed 2/23/2023.
(5) Tylenol (acetaminophen) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse …. https://reference.medscape.com/drug/tylenol-acetaminophen-343346 Accessed 2/23/2023.
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Question 2 – the difference between a cold and flu
Once again the answer is very good, and the sources are impeccable. I was pleasantly surprised to see the information about COVID 19. Although that information was not specifically requested in our current context it would be fair to say a question about flu or colds might be a round about way of inquiring about COVID.
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A cold and a flu are both respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses¹². They have some common symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and fatigue¹². However, there are some differences that can help you tell them apart:
- A flu usually causes a fever or feeling feverish/chills, while a cold rarely does¹².
- A flu usually causes muscle or body aches and headaches, while a cold seldom does¹².
- A flu usually has more severe and abrupt symptoms than a cold². A cold is milder and develops gradually³.
- A flu can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and hospitalization, while a cold generally does not²³.
If you are not sure whether you have a cold or a flu, you should consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. You should also be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19, which can be similar to both cold and flu but may also include loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing⁴.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 2/23/2023(1) Cold Versus Flu | CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm Accessed 2/23/2023.
(2) Cold Versus Flu | CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/coldflu.htm Accessed 2/23/2023.
(3) Flu or Cold? Know the Differences – WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-cold-symptoms Accessed 2/23/2023.
(4) COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences?. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/covid-19-cold-flu-and-allergies-differences/art-20503981 Accessed 2/23/2023.