Your Health Library

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 physician.

The following list is not all-inclusive but provides examples of medical situations and conditions that warrant immediate medical attention:

• chest or abdominal pain or pressure

• difficulty breathing; shortness of breath

• puncture wound

• spinal cord, head, or brain injury

• major burn

• poisoning (including food, chemical, lead, or gas)

• bleeding that does not stop after applying pressure

• problems with movement or sensation following an injury or fall

• animal, snake, insect, or human bite

• broken bone

• severe pain in any part of the body

• severe allergic reaction

• severe or persistent vomiting

• sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision

• suicidal or homicidal feelings

• hallucinations and clouding of thoughts

• a stiff neck in association with fever or headache

• unequal pupil size, loss of consciousness, blindness

• staggering, or repeated vomiting after a head injury

• drug overdose

When to call for assistance:

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