Medical advice given in social media, is it good or bad?

I chose to respond to chapter five of our textbook, "Looking to Friends for Medical Advice". According to researchers, 34% or more of the population will turn to social media for health research. I am guilty of doing this and have for many years. Although my family thinks I'm crazy, insane, and using a social media side door, for taking advice given by person's who are not in the medical field.I have greatly benefitted from advice given to over the past 3 years. I see the pro's and con's in everything. I do feel that there are people who can relate to the questions you are asking about, and perhaps they have been afflicted with the same thing, and can give solid input and advice on what you should do. I think this is definitely a pro, especially for someone like me, who tends to be a hypochondriac, and cannot afford to go to the doctor three times a week. I also agree that it's less embarrassing to talk about some problems, via social media, rather than face to face or over the phone. I do see the con's in turning to friends or social media contacts for advice, they are merely giving an opinion on what they think may be going on with you, and I'm sure many people take that advice, skip receiving medical help, only to find out that it was a different problem and a wrong diagnosis, which could be very harmful. I definitely would not just take the advice of a social media friend, over that of a physician, even if it would be someone in the medical field responding to your questions. I personally will continue to seek advice from social media friends as well as strangers through the social media; however, I will be more cautious and go to the doctor, if it seems as though my condition is worsening.