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

Warning-sign checks

Hydrocephalus: 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 person with hydrocephalus or a shunt who:

    • Is difficult to wake, loses consciousness, or has a seizure
    • Develops a sudden severe headache with repeated vomiting
    • Has new weakness, trouble speaking, severe confusion, or breathing difficulty
    • Deteriorates quickly or appears seriously unwell

    These signs can indicate rapidly rising pressure or another neurological emergency.

    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 same-day medical assessment for worsening headache, repeated vomiting, unusual sleepiness, new balance problems, vision changes, or a return of previous hydrocephalus symptoms.

    With a shunt, fever, redness, swelling, tenderness, or fluid leaking along the device may suggest infection.

    A baby needs prompt assessment for a firm bulging soft spot while calm, poor feeding, repeated vomiting, unusual sleepiness, downward-looking eyes, or rapidly increasing head size.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine follow-up for gradual changes in walking, memory, bladder control, school progress, development, or recurring mild headaches.

    These changes are not always caused by hydrocephalus, but they should be reviewed rather than assumed to be part of ageing or the existing condition.

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