Google basically just became WebMD with its new symptom cards

If you’re having an unusual pain or symptoms, chances are the first thing you do is search Google for help, and then probably end up on WebMD or Mayo Clinic. Google’s now making it easier to assuage all your hypochondriac fears by showing you information right from search results.

Currently, if you search for common symptoms, chances are you’ll be shown a generic Wikipedia entry. With the update, if you type in “headache,” you’ll see a detailed description card of the symptom, as well as list of related issues (ex: migraines, sinusitis, the common cold) to help you specifically identify what may be going on.

The cards provide other information like potential risk factors, how common the symptom is, and potential self-treatments options. They also link to sources to read more information, or provide help for seeking medical care.

Google says it creates its list of symptoms by comparing Web results with “high-quality medical information” sourced from doctors for its Knowledge Graph, and then reviewed symptom information with Harvard Medical School and Mayo Clinic experts.

The update is rolling out to mobile devices “over the next few days” in English for people in the US. Of course, Google says you should always consult a doctor for proper medical advice, but rest easy knowing it’ll be that little bit simpler to find out whether that cough you have is really the bubonic plague.