# Artificial Intelligence in Virtual Telemedicine Triage:
## 1 Introduction  
In the last decade, respiratory infections have become a global health problem affecting people of all ages and socioeconomic levels [1]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of death in children under 5 years of age, excluding the neonatal period, and the elderly, with an estimated around 2.4 million deaths each year worldwide, which represents a high mortality rate. A WHO projection estimates that by the year 2050, approximately 2 billion elderly people will require home care due to the sequelae of respiratory diseases [1; 2; 3]. In this context, telemedicine has become a valuable tool to improve accessibility and efficiency in the medical care of respiratory diseases [4]. Telemedicine systems can allow patients and physicians to interact without having to be physically in the same place, which reduces the risk of respiratory disease transmission and facilitates access to medical care in remote or mobility-limited areas. In addition, telemedicine can also help to improve efficiency in the delivery of healthcare services, as patients can schedule and perform medical consultations without having to travel to a clinic or hospital [5]. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the need and interest in telemedicine, as it has highlighted the need for more advanced and efficient healthcare solutions, especially for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases [6]. Telemedicine has proven to be a valuable tool for the diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases, as the remote delivery of medical services using communication technology allows healthcare providers and patients to communicate and share information in real-time [7; 8]. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) and telemedicine are valuable tools in the fight against respiratory infections, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic [9]. AI is used in the detection and diagnosis of respiratory infections, which helps clinicians to identify patterns and trends in patient symptoms and make informed treatment decisions [10]. In addition, telemedicine allows patients to connect with physicians remotely and receive medical care without having to travel to an office, which is especially beneficial for patients with reduced mobility or living in rural areas. Telemedicine can also improve care coordination between different healthcare providers, which can improve the quality and efficiency of treatment. In summary, AI and telemedicine are vital tools in the fight against respiratory infections, and their continued use can significantly improve the accessibility, quality, and efficiency of medical care for patients [10; 11]. In conclusion, telemedicine presents itself as an effective and timely solution to improve access and efficiency in the medical care of respiratory diseases, including diagnosis, treatment, and real-time monitoring of patients' vital signs. The implementation of advanced telemedicine systems using AI could have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people around the world [12]. The use of chatbots with artificial intelligence (AI) to detect COVID-19 is a promising application in the fight against the pandemic. Chatbots with AI can use natural language processing to understand and respond to user inquiries related to COVID-19 symptoms and provide recommendations for testing or seeking medical attention. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, chatbots can also analyze large amounts of data to identify patterns and trends in COVID-19 cases, potentially allowing for earlier detection and containment of outbreaks. However, the accuracy of these chatbots depends on the quality and quantity of data used to train them. Further research and development of chatbots with AI are needed to fully realize their potential in detecting and managing COVID-19 [13]. Using a low-cost monitoring device for coronal temperature and oxygen saturation in conjunction with a health chatbot is a promising approach in the fight against COVID-19.