Table 3.

List of all identified categories for health-related online forums and general social networks.

Category	Health-related online forums	General social networks	Example
Share experiences	Yes	Yes	“I could not work after Tylenol.” “I have taken Lipitor every day.”
Ask for specific medical advice or information	Yes	Yes	“Is honey allowed for diabetics?”
Request or give psychological support	Yes	Yes	“I hope your diabetes is under control.” “We’re thinking of you.”
About family (not about self)	Yes	Yes	“My son is now nine months old and teething like crazy.”
Share news	No	Yes	“Kaiser Permanente Invites Software Developers To Build Apps—Forbes. http://feedly.com/k/Zojwq”
Jokes	No	Yes	“Got any jokes about Sodium Hypobromite? NaBro.”
Advertisements	No	Yes	“Check out these two vitamins for one recipe! http://bit.ly/1471dbn”
Personal opinion	No	Yes	“Main frustration of lupus is losing the ability to do things that used to be normal”
Educational material	No	Yes	“Side Effects of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Drugs http://bit.ly/cK7L1f”