This project is a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) decision support tool that answers patient questions about influenza using trusted medical information from CDC websites. It combines web scraping, data processing, vector embeddings, and the Ollama language model to provide accurate, evidence-based responses.
The system retrieves relevant CDC articles and generates answers based only on the provided information. If the information isn’t found in the knowledge base, it responds:
"I don’t know based on the provided information."
Q: What are the symptoms of influenza?
A: Influenza, commonly known as "flu," can cause fever or feeling feverish/chills (not all individuals with flu will experience a fever), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms typically come on suddenly and are part of the immune system's response to fight off influenza viruses.
Q: Who is at high risk for influenza complications?
A: Based on the provided information, people who are older than children younger than two years old or pregnant women and their infants up to two weeks after birth. This includes everyone with conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, those taking long-term aspirin containing medications under 19, individuals on certain types of chronic treatments that suppress the immune system (like chemotherapy), people who had a stroke or disabilities affecting muscle function and airways. It also includes adults over 65 years old with various health conditions like asthma, diabetes, kidney diseases, liver disorders among others as well as those obese individuals (BMI of 40 kg/m² or higher). Furthermore, people who have had a stroke and children younger than two are also at risk.
Q: What are the recommended prevention methods for influenza?
A: The recommendations include getting an annual flu vaccine by end of October or as late in the season as possible, taking time to get a shot every year with particular importance given to those at higher risk. For additional protection and reduced spread when sick, cover coughs and sneezes using tissue, wash hands frequently especially before eating, stay home until better overall symptoms without fever for 24 hours are met (or if a healthcare provider advises different criteria), take everyday precautions to reduce germ transmission. Wearing masks when necessary and ensuring good air quality by introducing fresh outside air or improving indoor air can also help prevent respiratory viruses like the flu, though this is an additional measure beyond core strategies.
Q: What treatments are available for influenza?
A: Antiviral drugs can help treat flu illness and should be started as soon as possible after symptoms begin. These medications work best when taken early, potentially lessening symptoms by about a day and reducing some complications of the flu. It's important to note that not all people with flu need these antiviral drugs; they are typically prescribed for those at increased risk or who show serious illness from influenza.
Q: What is the average cost of a flu test in the United States?
A: I don't know based on the provided information.