ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot, is known for answering everything from random trivia to personal dilemmas—but now, it's being used for something far more serious: helping patients figure out what’s wrong when doctors can’t.

Recently, a case that’s gone viral, a Reddit user shared how ChatGPT helped uncover the true cause behind a persistent illness after they were repeatedly misdiagnosed by medical professionals.

According to the user, they had been struggling with ongoing symptoms and no clear answers. Frustrated and desperate, they turned to ChatGPT for insight. Surprisingly, the AI suggested that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) might still be a factor—despite doctors having ruled it out.

“I decided to get tested privately,” the user wrote. “The result came back positive. (Positive 220).” H. pylori is a common bacterial infection that can damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers and gastritis.

After getting the correct diagnosis, the user began a treatment known as triple therapy. “I already feel better than I have in months,” they said. “It’s crazy that something so basic was missed. I finally feel like I have a shot at getting my life back.”

The Internet Reacts

Reddit users were stunned—not just by the AI’s insight, but by the oversight on the part of the doctors.

“It’s crazy that some doctors can miss one of the most common infections on the planet,” one user commented. “Up to 50% of people globally will get it.”

Others chimed in with more measured takes, suggesting that health insurance rules often limit testing. “The doctor I know said that without stomach pain, they won’t run an H. pylori test,” one commenter explained.

Another added, “It’s not always about intelligence—it’s about ego. Some doctors just assume they know what’s going on without really listening.”

What Is H. Pylori?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Helicobacter pylori can damage the lining of your stomach and the upper part of your small intestine, leading to pain and inflammation. The Cleveland Clinic notes that the bacteria is a leading cause of peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis.