Describe face symptoms to ChatGPT and catch shingles early

WorkedEvidence: Described by posterPosted Dec 12, 2025Last checked Nov 4, 2026

ChatGPT asked yes-or-no questions about face symptoms, flagged shingles as urgent and sent the poster to a doctor, who confirmed it.

Source checked Nov 4, 2026
Results shared

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Tap Copy prompt.
Open ChatGPT.
Paste it into the message box.
Send it, then read the answer before acting on it.

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Prompt

Recreated prompt

The source didn't share its exact prompt, so we wrote one from what it describes. The result shown is the source's, not ours.

What the prompt labels mean

The person didn't share their exact words, so we wrote this from what they described. We haven't tested it, and they didn't use this exact version.

I have new symptoms on my face and I'm not sure what's causing it. Ask me whatever questions you need to narrow it down, tell me what it could be, and tell me honestly whether this is something I can wait on or should see a doctor about soon.

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ChatGPT Used in source Gemini Grok Claude

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Optional stronger version

Our rewrite with extra checks. The poster didn't test it.

Before you start, ask me 1–3 short questions about the details below and wait for my answers. Once I've answered, confirm the plan in one line and run the whole task start to finish.

Goal: Work out how urgently I need to see a doctor about a new symptom, and prepare what to tell them.

Questions to ask me first:
- Where exactly is the symptom, and when did it start?
- Do you have a rash, blisters, fever or any eye or vision changes?
- Do you have any health conditions or take any medicines?

Inputs (fill in or confirm):
- Symptom and location: [SYMPTOM / LOCATION]
- Started: [DATE]
- Other symptoms: [LIST]
- Health conditions and medicines: [LIST]
- Age: [AGE]

Rules:
- Ask yes-or-no questions one at a time.
- List possible causes from most to least urgent and say which ones need same-day care.
- Don't diagnose; tell me what to ask the doctor.
- If any answer suggests an emergency, tell me to call 911 or go to urgent care right away.

Checkpoint: After your questions, tell me how urgent this sounds and why, before anything else.

If you get stuck: If you can't tell how urgent it is, say so and tell me to contact a doctor or nurse line.

Verify before you finish: Recheck that you've flagged every warning sign I mentioned.

Output: A short urgency summary, possible causes and a list of things to tell the doctor.

Done when: I know whether to book a visit today and what to say.

AI tool

ChatGPT

Outcome

A Reddit poster in r/ChatGPT had symptoms on the face and didn't fully trust ChatGPT for medical advice, but described the symptoms anyway. ChatGPT asked a series of yes-or-no questions, then listed possible causes: a sinus infection, a dental problem, a nerve issue or shingles. It said shingles on the face is urgent and told the poster to see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor confirmed shingles and prescribed antivirals, which the poster says were needed to avoid losing sight. The poster would otherwise have taken ibuprofen and waited it out.

Evidence: Described by posterThe person describes what happened in words, without screenshots or video.

Source

Posted: Dec 12, 2025 by Reddit user (r/ChatGPT)
Last checked: Nov 4, 2026
Method:: How we verify

https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/comments/1ppflew/i_didnt_totally_trust_chatgpt_for_medical_advice/

Context: No prompt is quoted, so the prompt here is recreated from the post. The date is estimated from the post ID. A doctor made the diagnosis and prescribed treatment; self-reported.