When to Call for Help

Anytime you are not comfortable with a medical situation, call 911 (or your local emergency number), go to your nearest emergency room, or call your family healthcare provider.

Immediate medical attention

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), the following 12 conditions warrant immediate medical attention:

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

• Chest or upper belly pain or pressure lasting 2 minutes or more

• Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness

• Changes in vision

• Confusion or changes in mental status

• Any sudden or severe pain

• Uncontrolled bleeding

• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea

• Coughing or vomiting blood

• Suicidal or homicidal feelings

• Difficulty speaking, or numbness or weakness in any part of your body 

• Unusual belly pain

Additional conditions

Additional conditions and symptoms that require emergency attention include:

• Poisoning

• Drug overdose

• Loss of consciousness

• Major burn

• Spinal cord, head, or brain injury

• Severe allergic reaction

• A fast heartbeat (more than 120 to 150 beats per minute) at rest, especially if associated with shortness of breath or feeling faint

• A broken bone with skin protruding through the skin

• Drowning

Emergencies for children

ACEP recommends seeking immediate help if your child has any of the following:

• Any significant change from normal behavior

• Confusion or delirium

• Decreasing responsiveness or alertness

• Excessive sleepiness

• Irritability

• Seizure or abnormal shaking or twitching

• Strange or withdrawn behavior

• Severe headache or vomiting, especially after a head injury

• Uncontrolled bleeding

• Inability to stand up or unsteady walking

• Unconsciousness

• Abnormal or difficult breathing

• Skin or lips that look blue or purple (gray for darker-skinned children)

• Feeding or eating difficulties

• Increasing or severe, persistent pain

• Fever accompanied by a change in behavior (especially with a severe, sudden headache accompanied by mental changes, or neck or back stiffness or rashes)

• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea

When to call for help

Remember, anytime you are not comfortable with a medical situation, you should call for help. By acting quickly, you may prevent a serious emergency and could save a life.