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Warning-sign checks

Hereditary elliptocytosis: 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

    Get emergency help for severe trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, confusion, extreme weakness, or rapidly worsening paleness.

    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 medical advice if an infection is followed by a clear increase in weakness, jaundice, breathlessness, or paleness.

    These symptoms may mean the anemia has worsened.

    A newborn with yellow skin or eyes should receive same-day medical assessment.

    Seek urgent help if the baby is difficult to wake, feeds poorly, has an unusual cry, or appears increasingly yellow.

    These can be signs of severe anemia or another urgent condition.

    Follow your individual fever plan and seek urgent medical assessment immediately rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if you develop new or gradually worsening fatigue, paleness, yellowing of the eyes, dark urine, or discomfort under the left ribs.

    Repeated upper abdominal pain, especially after meals, may need assessment for gallstones.

The article also says

If you have had your spleen removed, fever can signal a serious infection.

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