Why do some people waste time on Yahoo! Answers...?

Question

... when they really should just run straight to the hospital or the vet?

I mean, sure there are some questions that are not about anything urgent, like: "I have a rash on my arm, what can it be?"

But when I see questions like: "My hamster/cat/dog is bleeding, what can I do?", "I felt something hard up my cervix, I'm pregnant and am having cramps, could this be the baby's head?", "My baby is crying and has been refusing to eat for the past two days, what's wrong?"

I really wonder why some people seem to think that Yahoo! Answers is better than seeing a specialist, especially in the case of emergencies such as the examples posted above. Why do some people seem so... dare I say stupid?

(Note that I pulled the examples out of my own mind, paraphrasing questions I have seen all over the place here in the past few days)

Answer 1

You are right....Some things are best left to someone more qualified to help especially when it comes to illness, safety, emergencies, or conditions that really need to be diagnosed by a specialist. While most people here on Yahoo want to truly help others, they can not diagnose or treat someone just because of a few signs or symptoms.. I totally agree with you on that end...And, I don't think that people are stupid, I think they are asking for feedback if their problems sound serious enough to seek treatment sometimes...Good question btw.....

Answer 2

Boredom is why lurk but sooner or later I'll have a question I'm curious about.

But as for the people that go to yahoo for serious medical problems before consulting their doctor, they need a slap imo. However, I understand that some things are very embarassing so I can understand wanting to get a general opinion first.

Why do you waste time on here?

Answer 3

I think people are afraid to ask professionals without a second opinion. Plus they don't have to pay for advice here.

Answer 4

I'm just here waiting for God to take me out of it.

Answer 5

Because allot of people don't have the luxury of medical care (particularly for pets), you judgmental snob... And even if it is an emergency, that still doesn't mean they can pay for it...