I had this same concern and went to see a specialist. It turned out to be much less serious than I thought. But getting professional medical advice gave me peace of mind. If you have insurance, use it — that's what it's for.

I asked my doctor this exact question. They said most of what you read about this is overblown and the actual risk is small for a normal healthy person. The news loves a scary health headline. Ask your own doctor before you panic.

Talk to a pharmacist — they're an underrated resource and they're free to talk to. They know a ton about medications and interactions and can tell you whether something is worth a doctor visit or whether an over-the-counter remedy will do.

If you don't have insurance, look into a community health clinic. A lot of them charge on a sliding scale based on income. Don't skip care because you're worried about the cost — small problems are cheaper to fix than big ones.