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
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for:
Severe difficulty breathing or an inability to speak normally
Blue, grey, or unusually pale lips or skin
New severe confusion, collapse, or difficulty waking
Severe chest pain
Coughing up more than small streaks of blood
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
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
If you are in hospital, tell a nurse or another member of staff promptly about a new cough, fever, shaking chills, chest pain, breathlessness, confusion, or a sudden decline in how you feel.
Do not wait for the next routine ward round.
After discharge, seek urgent medical assessment if breathing or fever worsens, symptoms return after initially improving, or you cannot keep down fluids or medicines.
And for anyone, someone who:
has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange routine follow-up if your cough, fatigue, appetite, or exercise tolerance is not gradually improving.
Also seek advice for persistent or severe diarrhoea during or after antibiotic treatment.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Hospital-acquired pneumonia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.