Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
    • Reason TV
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • Free Media
    • The Reason Interview
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • Freed Up
    • The Soho Forum Debates
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Subscriber Support

Log In

Create new account

Culture

Facebook App Attempts to Determine Who Gave You the Flu

Unfriending them won't help, though

Reason Staff | 1.7.2013 9:15 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Flu sufferers can now collect more information about the origins of their germs, thanks to a new Facebook app.

"Help, I have the Flu" may not be able to tell you whether the woman coughing in the movie theater infected you, but it can devise clues -- by way of Facebook -- as to who the potential germ-holders in your life may be, RelaxNews reports.

The Facebook app uses different clues to determine which friends are sick by checking status updates for words, such as "flu" "sneezing" and "coughing," and looking at places those people might have checked in. Even the times your friends have posted are considered relevant. For example, several late night posts may indicate a person hasn't been sleeping enough and, thus, would be more susceptible to catching -- and passing along -- the bug.

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: France Orders Internet Provider to Stop Blocking Ads

Reason Staff
CultureScience & TechnologyFacebookPublic Health
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Show Comments (0)

Latest

Labor Unions Won Big on Election Day, With Ballot Initiatives and Friendly Politicians

C. Jarrett Dieterle | 11.7.2026 7:00 AM

A Major Reform of California's Environmental Regulations Looks Destined for Failure

Christian Britschgi | 11.6.2026 5:10 PM

As Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller Will Reinforce Trump's Worst Instincts

Jacob Sullum | 11.6.2026 4:55 PM

White House Warns Conservative Groups It Is 'Monitoring' What They Say Amid Discontent Over Midterm Results

Josh Pauzé | 11.6.2026 4:40 PM

Michigan's Energy Monopoly Won't Be Fixed by Restricting Everyone's Free Speech

Jarrett Skorup and Patrick Wright | 11.6.2026 4:00 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS Add Reason to Google

© 2026 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reason

The All-Argentina Issue is Here

New from Reason: a look into what Javier Milei has accomplished and what it will take to make the most of Argentina’s window for real change. Out now for subscribers.

Subscribe & Start Reading Learn More