It can be difficult to know what to do when medical symptoms suddenly appear or get worse. Here is a top-level guide.
You might be suffering from crippling stomach pain or illness. Your child might wake up with a fever. Perhaps your partner suddenly experiences chest pains.
These situations can be overwhelming and scary, and you may feel worried about your loved ones. It might be difficult to decide whether you should wait, call an ambulance, or go to the hospital. How do you decide what to do next?
Is it an emergency?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call 911.
Tightness or chest pain
Sudden onset of weakness, paralysis, or numbness in the arm, leg, or face
breathing difficulties
unconsciousness
uncontrollable bleeding
Sudden collapse or unexplained fall
Unexplained fit in adults
Even in children, severe burns can occur.
If the problem is serious, urgent, or a new one, you should seek emergency care. If you have any of these symptoms, it is better to call 911 than to drive to the hospital. Paramedics may be able to treat you right away, which is safer.
Associate Professor Paul Middleton is the deputy director of emergency medicine at Liverpool Hospital. He advises children to go to the emergency department (ED), if they’re:
Breathing problems
Being progressively tired or lethargic
Interacting is not possible
Avoid drinking and peeing in very small children
Having a fever is when you have an ongoing or severe condition. Anything above 38° Celsius is considered a fever.
What to do if your not sure?
Healthdirect is a great place to start if you don’t have much time and aren’t sure how serious your injury or illness is. It offers an online symptom checking tool and 24 hour telephone advice from registered nurses. They can help you decide if you should visit your GP, manage the situation at home, or go into an emergency room.
Dr Abhi Verma, spokesperson for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, says that GPs can manage minor household mishaps, such as minor allergic reactions and minor injuries to joints and muscles, and minor injuries to bones and muscles.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you have a fever, vomiting, or pain that strikes during the night. It depends.
“Adults can replace their fluids and if fever persists [with paracetamol], they can try cooling down. However, a temperature of 40 to 41 degrees is dangerous,” says Dr Kenneth Moroney, GP.
Children can call Healthdirect for advice, or view their list of warning signs regarding vomiting and fever.
Pain that is intermittent or infrequent may not be as alarming if it isn’t. Assoc Prof Middleton advises that constant, severe and worsening pain, including headaches or chest pain, should be treated in a hospital.
Intclinics has all the info needed to find your nearest Doctor.
He also said that there are instances when an ED visit may not be necessary.
“Emergency rooms are for emergencies. They are not there to help you get to a specialist quicker, deal with a chronic issue that’s getting worse, or just to give you some comfort.
“If it’s an emergency, or a possible emergency, that’s fine. However, some people use the ED to their convenience.”
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that 9.3% of 7.8 million emergency room visits in 2016-17 were for non-urgent reasons.
Other options than the ED
These options are available if your problem is not urgent but you cannot get to your GP.
General practice that accepts walk-ins or 24-hour medical care.
There are some hospitals that have urgent care centers. These centres can be accessed by walk-in patients and staff 24 hours a day. They treat injuries and illnesses that require immediate attention (but not emergency).
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