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Warning-sign checks

Cysticercosis: 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 for:

    • A first seizure
    • A seizure lasting five minutes or longer
    • Repeated seizures without recovery between them
    • Trouble breathing or an injury during a seizure
    • Sudden severe weakness, speech difficulty, or loss of vision
    • Severe headache with repeated vomiting, fainting, or marked drowsiness
    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 urgent medical care for new vision changes, increasing headaches, repeated vomiting, new weakness or numbness, worsening balance, or increasing confusion.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment for unexplained recurring headaches, new skin or muscle lumps, or possible exposure to a pork tapeworm.

    Seek follow-up if symptoms return, medicines cause problems, or seizures are not well controlled.

The article also says

During a seizure, protect the person from hazards, cushion their head, and turn them onto their side when possible.

Do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth.

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