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Editorial Policy

Our commitment to providing accurate, trustworthy, and accessible health information.

Our Mission

OpenSymptom is dedicated to providing clear, accurate, and accessible educational information about common health symptoms. We aim to help people understand their symptoms and make informed decisions about when to seek professional medical care.

Content Creation Process

Research and Sources

All content on OpenSymptom is based on information from reputable, authoritative medical sources, including:

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • MedlinePlus
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Peer-reviewed medical journals
  • Professional medical organizations

AI-Assisted Content

We may use artificial intelligence tools to assist in content creation. However, all AI-generated content undergoes human review and editing to ensure accuracy, clarity, and appropriateness. Human editors verify information against authoritative sources and ensure content meets our editorial standards.

Review Process

Each article undergoes review for:

  • Accuracy: Information is verified against reputable medical sources
  • Clarity: Content is written in plain English accessible to general audiences
  • Completeness: Articles cover key aspects of symptoms comprehensively
  • Safety: Appropriate warnings and disclaimers are included
  • Balance: Multiple perspectives and possibilities are presented

Editorial Standards

Non-Diagnostic Approach

We do not diagnose conditions or provide medical advice. Our content is educational and designed to help readers understand possibilities and know when to seek professional care.

Plain Language

We write for a general US audience at approximately an 8th-10th grade reading level. Medical terms are explained in everyday language.

Balanced Information

We present information about symptoms objectively, covering both common benign causes and more serious possibilities, while emphasizing when professional evaluation is needed.

Emergency Awareness

Every article includes clear guidance about emergency symptoms and when to call 911 or seek immediate medical care.

Content Updates

Medical knowledge evolves constantly. We are committed to:

  • Regularly reviewing and updating content
  • Displaying the last update date on each article
  • Correcting errors promptly when identified
  • Archiving or updating outdated information

Corrections Policy

If we discover an error in our content, we will:

  • Correct it as quickly as possible
  • Update the article's "last updated" date
  • Note significant corrections when appropriate

If you believe you've found an error, please contact us through our Contact page.

Independence and Integrity

Editorial Independence

Our editorial content is independent and not influenced by:

  • Advertisers or sponsors
  • Commercial interests
  • Political or ideological agendas

No Endorsements

We do not endorse specific:

  • Healthcare providers or facilities
  • Medications or treatments
  • Products or services
  • Tests or procedures

Scope and Limitations

OpenSymptom focuses on:

  • Common symptoms experienced by adults
  • General educational information
  • US healthcare context

We do not provide:

  • Personalized medical advice
  • Diagnosis or treatment recommendations
  • Pediatric-specific information (unless noted)
  • Rare or highly specialized medical information

User Feedback

We value feedback from our readers. If you have suggestions for improving our content or notice issues, please contact us.

Transparency

We are committed to transparency about:

  • Our content creation process
  • Use of AI assistance
  • Information sources
  • Funding and advertising (see Advertising Disclosure)

Last Updated: January 2025