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Warning-sign checks

Lymphogranuloma venereum: 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

    Go to an emergency department if you have:

    • Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain
    • Heavy rectal bleeding, fainting, or marked weakness
    • Inability to pass stool or gas with abdominal swelling
    • Signs of severe illness, such as confusion or trouble breathing
    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

    Arrange a prompt sexual health or primary care appointment if you have rectal pain, discharge, bleeding, a genital or anal sore, or painful groin swelling.

    You should also seek testing if a recent sexual partner tells you they have LGV or chlamydia.

    Seek urgent same-day medical care if you have a rapidly enlarging groin lump, worsening fever, increasing redness, severe rectal pain, or difficulty passing stool.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up and repeat testing are important, but they are not emergencies when you otherwise feel well.

The article also says

Contact the service treating you if symptoms are not beginning to improve, become worse, or return after antibiotics.

Persistent swelling may need examination even if other symptoms have settled.

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