sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Ebola virus disease: 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

    Ebola is a medical and public health emergency when symptoms occur after possible exposure.

    Seek immediate help if, within the previous 21 days, you have been in an Ebola outbreak area or had possible contact with an infected person, body, animal, laboratory sample, or body fluid and develop:

    • Fever or marked weakness
    • Headache or stomach pain
    • Vomiting or diarrhoea
    • Unexplained bleeding

    Call emergency or public health services before going to a clinic or hospital.

    Explain the possible exposure and symptoms so staff can prepare a safe assessment.

    Avoid public transport and close contact with others while awaiting instructions.

    Emergency care is also needed for severe dehydration, fainting, confusion, seizures, breathing difficulty, very little urine, heavy bleeding, or inability to keep fluids down.

    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 prompt assessment for eye pain, light sensitivity, reduced vision, new neurological symptoms, or a return of fever.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    After recovery, arrange follow-up for persistent tiredness, joint pain, sleep problems, or difficulty returning to daily activities.

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