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Warning-sign checks

H1N1 influenza: 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 severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips or face, a seizure, inability to wake or stay awake, or severe chest pain.

    For a child, emergency signs also include ribs pulling inward with each breath, severe dehydration, poor responsiveness, or a fever in a baby younger than 12 weeks.

    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 routine medical advice promptly if you develop flu symptoms and are pregnant, aged 65 or older, caring for a very young child with symptoms, or living with a condition that increases the risk of complications.

    Early advice also matters if you have a weakened immune system.

    Get urgent medical help for:

    • New or increasing shortness of breath
    • Chest pain or pressure
    • Confusion, fainting, or severe weakness
    • Signs of dehydration, such as very little urine
    • Symptoms that improve and then return with fever or a worse cough

    A child who cannot walk because of severe muscle pain also needs urgent assessment.

The article also says

Contact a clinician if symptoms are not starting to improve as expected, a fever persists or returns, you cannot drink enough, or a cough or underlying health condition is getting worse.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on H1N1 influenza. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.