Sickweather App Tracks Illness in Your Area - East Idaho News

Sickweather App Tracks Illness in Your Area

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Getty 042814 UsingSmartphone?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1398724747321iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Looking to avoid the flu? There’s an app for that.

Sickweather, an app that collects information from Facebook and Twitter, lets you know how many people around you may be sick.

Public posts that complain about being ill or detail a particular sickness like bronchitis or chickenpox are tracked by the service using a patent-pending algorithm, grouping activity down to street level in your area.

The app serves as a Doppler radar for sickness, providing real-time alerts when you enter a sick zone. For those worried about pink eye or whooping cough, Sickweather can prepare hypochondriacs ahead of time.

Reports are color-coded, with illness announcements displayed in different shades based on posts of how long the bug has been around. Users can also connect with friends and family for support, according to the app’s website. Linking to Facebook and Twitter allows people to find sick friends, compare symptoms, or share home remedies.

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