The internet is often criticised, but in some cases, it has literally saved lives.
From Reddit to TikTok, social media has played an incredible role in helping people discover critical health conditions. By sharing personal stories and experiences, users have been able to diagnose life-threatening illnesses in ways traditional medicine may have initially missed. Below, we explore four incredible cases where online communities helped save lives through early diagnosis.
1. Positive Carbon Monoxide Test Saves Man from Silent Poisoning
One of the most famous life-saving cases on Reddit began with a user seeking help for a bizarre situation. In his original post, he described finding “post-it notes left in [his] apartment” in handwriting that wasn’t his. The user recounted waking up to notes he didn’t remember writing, like one that said, “Our landlord isn’t letting me talk to you, but it’s important we do.”
Concerned that someone was breaking into his apartment, he installed a webcam, only to find the footage mysteriously missing.
[MA] Post-it notes left in apartment.
byu/RBradbury1920 inlegaladvice
One Redditor, however, offered a different perspective. A user named Kakkerlak suggested that rather than an intruder, the problem could be medical.
“It’s likely that you are writing the notes yourself, but you are forgetting. […] Is there a chance that you are not getting enough ventilation when you sleep, or that there is a carbon monoxide leak in the building?”
Following this advice, the original poster installed a carbon monoxide detector in his bedroom. Taking this advice, the poster installed a carbon monoxide detector, which revealed dangerously high levels of 100 parts per million (ppm). Exposure to carbon monoxide at such levels can cause symptoms like memory loss, confusion, and headaches, which explained why he had been writing the notes but not remembering. CO poisoning disrupts oxygen delivery to the brain, causes cognitive issues, and triggers hallucinations. He believed the landlord was involved as a result.
“TL;DR: I had CO poisoning and thought my landlord was stalking me,”
This story remains one of Reddit’s most referenced life-saving moments, a testament to how online communities can make a real-world difference.
2. Positive Pregnancy Test Leads to Life-Saving Testicular Cancer Diagnosis
A surprising positive pregnancy test led to a life-saving diagnosis for one man. After jokingly taking a test left by his ex-girlfriend, he was shocked to see two pink lines.
Amused by the result, he shared the story online, where concerned commenters warned, “You may have testicular cancer! Get to an oncologist, tell them you took a pregnancy test and it came out positive.”
Speaking to ABC News, Dr. Mark Pomerantz, a genitourinary oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, explained: “It turns out a fair number of testicular cancers make the same exact hormone. There are very few things in the body that produce beta hCG, and testicular cancer is one of them.”
Image credit: Imgur
The tumour was caught before it progressed, thanks to the early detection. Although the man may have needed surgery to remove the affected testicle, treatment for testicular cancer is highly successful.
“The testicle usually has to come out. But we’re lucky with this disease, in that the vast majority of cases—even if they’re caught further along—are still very curable.” Dr. Pomerantz added.
The 5-year survival rate for testicular cancer confined to the testicle is 99 percent, and even when it spreads, it remains one of the most treatable cancers.
3. Instagram Photo Leads to Man’s Skin Cancer Diagnosis
A simple Instagram post by Sarah Frei ended up saving her 91-year-old grandfather’s life. In November, Frei shared a photo of John Rzeppa, affectionately known as “Big Papa,” holding his two infant great-grandsons during a Thanksgiving family gathering.
While the image seemed innocent, the photo caught the eye of Dr. Jennifer Mancuso, a dermatologist and former classmate of Frei.
Image credit: Sarah Frei
Dr. Mancuso noticed a dark patch on Rzeppa’s forehead, which doctors had previously believed was a harmless sunspot.
“She sent me a private message through the app,” Frei told PEOPLE. “She said she had seen pictures of him before and … noticed how much the mark on his forehead had progressed over time.” Concerned, Mancuso urged Frei to get her grandfather checked out immediately.
Just two weeks after the post, on December 18th, Rzeppa was diagnosed with melanoma. “We were all very shocked,” Frei said. “My mom is a registered nurse and jumped into action immediately. She was extremely disappointed that she had believed the initial consult that there were no concerns.”
The news devastated Rzeppa, who had previously beaten prostate cancer. However, thanks to Mancuso’s keen observation, the cancer had not spread, and Rzeppa was able to have the cancerous spot removed. He underwent a successful skin graft procedure at Henry Ford Health System.
Much to the family’s joy, Rzeppa recovered just in time for Frei’s wedding in April. “It meant the world to me to have my grandpa at my wedding,” Frei shared.
Despite a noticeable scar on his forehead, Rzeppa was all smiles at the ceremony. The DJ even arranged a special dance between Frei and her grandfather, a moment she described as unforgettable.
4. TikTok Video Leads to Early Diagnosis of Baby’s Rare Genetic Disorder
When Morgan Rachal, 29, stumbled upon a TikTok video featuring a child with Sanfilippo syndrome, she was struck by the resemblance to her own daughter, Lydia, now 20 months old. Although Lydia seemed healthy, except for minor issues like ear infections and trouble sleeping, Morgan couldn’t shake the similarities between her child and the girl in the video.
@saving_liv You are my sunshine ☀️💜 #raredisease #sanfilipposyndrome #terminalillness ♬ you are my sunshine – christina perri
Sanfilippo syndrome, sometimes called childhood Alzheimer’s, is a rare genetic disorder that manifests with physical traits like full lips, heavy eyebrows, and hirsutism (excess hair growth). After seeing more videos on TikTok with her mother, Morgan brought her concerns to a doctor.
Following tests, Lydia was diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome type B. “It was the worst day ever,” Morgan revealed to Metro. “It’s heartbreaking.”
Sanfilippo syndrome usually begins to show symptoms between the ages of two and six, leading to slowed development, intellectual decline, and eventually severe dementia and motor disease. Though Lydia currently shows no cognitive decline, Morgan knows this will change without treatment. “She won’t be able to walk or talk,” she says. “Her joy right now will be taken away if she doesn’t get into treatment.”
Thanks to the early diagnosis, which Morgan credits to TikTok, there is still hope. “I’m grateful,” Morgan says. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known until the brain damage started happening.”
Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword for Health Awareness
Although many criticise social media for spreading misinformation and encouraging unhealthy comparisons, it also acts as a powerful tool for good.
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit allow people to share personal battles with lesser-known illnesses. It also raises awareness, and even offer practical hacks for conditions once thought incurable.
Through these platforms, individuals can help others recognise that symptoms they once brushed off as normal may actually indicate something more serious. Social media is proving to be a surprising resource for crowdsourced healthcare advice.
