Feeling tired and achy? Is your throat painfully scratchy? Do you wonder if it’s more than a cold? Is this the dreaded flu?
If you are one of the many turning to Google to search “flu symptoms,” you’re not alone.
Google Flu Trends
In fact, there are so many people checking Google for flu symptoms, before they check with their doctors, that a new early warning system for fast-spreading flu outbreaks has emerged, Google Flu Trends.
It’s an interesting technological advance, demonstrating a significant pattern, but keep in mind that it won’t give you the full picture of just how many people have the flu in a given area.
In October, when I was bedridden with flu-like symptoms, I never bothered to look up the symptoms. I was too miserable to look online. This week, my mother-in-law seems to have the flu, and I know that she wouldn’t check the Internet, even if she had a computer.
I’m sure that for every person Googling “flu symptoms,” there are just as many not turning to the Internet for medical advice. Some may be looking up symptoms just to discover that they don’t have them. And then, there are those of us now looking up “flu symptoms” out of mere curiosity.
Have you or your family had the flu lately? Did you Google “flu symptoms”?
Consider Google Trends For Your Learning Arsenal
Nevertheless, I find Google Flu Trends fascinating, and not just for the information that it provides.
Educators - Google Flu Trends is just one of 100 Google Trends - currently including ACT Scores and XM Radio - that can enrich a lesson plan on graphs or statistics. And, at least for the flu trend, you even download the current or historical raw data for various geographical areas. That should provide plenty of material for an interesting learning project.
Bloggers - You may be interested in discovering that clicking on any item on 100 Google Trends also brings up the most recent news articles and blog posts on the topic. Google Trends even provides an RSS feed that you can use to monitor popular trends.
Activists - Google Flu Trends is just one element in Google.org’s mandate to contribute resources that will “address some of the world’s most urgent problems” as it pursues five core initiatives, one of which is to “inform and empower to improve Public Services.” The potential for driving change by providing information is a worthy goal. At a minimum, Google.org resources should be an important tool in data-driven activism.
How are you using, or planning to use, Google Trends?
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California Mega Lotto 11.13.08 at 8:42 am
If Google makes the drop in numbers, we will see the strength in the real world that has Google.
Julie Roads 11.13.08 at 10:02 am
Fascinating…who are these people that work at Google and think of these things!!! I did not know this existed and, of course, love that they are using bloggers!!!
Moms At Work 11.13.08 at 10:10 am
I haven’t had the flu yet this year…but I did get my shot last month. It’s really interesting about the Google search. I thought most people knew what the symptoms were!
Anne 11.13.08 at 11:29 am
Goes to show you can go online for everything!!
Kikolani | Poetry, Photography, Blogging Tips 11.13.08 at 1:28 pm
I love the top 100 trends site.
As far as the flu, I refuse to get the shot. I’ll probably regret saying this later, but I haven’t gotten the flu in years, and the shot only protects against certain strains, so my chances are just as good without it.
~ Kristi
Sandra Foyt 11.13.08 at 1:46 pm
I’m with you on avoiding the flu shot! My husband keeps bugging me to get the shot each year, since I’m asthmatic, but I’d rather eliminate the allergens that make having the flu problematic.
As for the flu symptoms, I’m sure that many people aren’t certain how to differentiate between the flu, and just a cold.
Barbara 11.17.08 at 3:44 pm
I always go online to check symptoms. WebMD is a great resource for that too.