Sickweather app scans social media to track where illnesses are spreading

WASHINGTON - Some of us on our staff here at FOX 5 have unfortunately gotten sick this week just as Christmas is approaching. Our own Tony Perkins checked in with his Facebook followers earlier this week updating how he has been doing after missing work this week (get better Tony!).

We have also seen the posts on social media from people talking about being sick. There is an app that can actually help you make sense of all of these posts.

Sickweather scans public posts on social media about being sick, and can help you know just how sick an area is - from where you live or where you plan to travel.

You can look for instances for all types of illnesses in an area, from the common cold and chicken pox to pink eye and strep throat.

The app not only scans public social media posts, but it also allows members to self-report symptoms and illnesses. It also shows trends and outbreaks in an area all the way down to the street level.

"SickWeather provides the earliest outbreak warning available to the public," said Graham Dodge, president and CEO of Sickweather. "For example, the CDC usually takes two to six weeks, sometimes longer, to get information about illness outbreaks to the public. Whereas with Sickweather, we're processing all of this information in real-time so we can let you know as soon as possible when the flu is trending in your area."

Dodge founded the app to empower people to be better informed about their health and well-being. And hopefully keep others from getting sick.

The Sickweather app is free for iOS and Android and they now have an app for your Apple Watch as well.

More info: sickweather.com