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Warning-sign checks

COVID-19 symptoms: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services now if you have:

    • Severe difficulty breathing, gasping, or trouble speaking in sentences
    • Persistent pain or pressure in your chest
    • New confusion, collapse, or difficulty waking
    • Pale, gray, or blue lips, skin, or nail beds
    • An oxygen reading below the emergency threshold given in your care plan
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek same-day medical advice for new or worsening breathlessness, difficulty keeping fluids down, signs of dehydration, fainting, or symptoms that are becoming significantly worse.

    Signs of dehydration include very little urine, a dry mouth, and dizziness when standing.

    Contact a healthcare professional promptly if symptoms begin and you have a higher risk of serious COVID-19.

    This may include older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant people, and those with certain long-term health conditions.

    Prescription treatments work best when considered early.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Book a routine appointment if symptoms are not improving, keep returning, or continue to interfere with sleep, work, school, or normal activity.

    Ongoing cough, tiredness, breathlessness, concentration problems, or altered taste and smell also deserve follow-up.

The article also says

Skin color changes may be harder to see on darker skin.

Check the lips, tongue, nail beds, palms, or soles as well as the face.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on COVID-19 symptoms. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.