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Warning-sign checks

Malignant hyperthermia: 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

    Emergency help is needed for a suspected reaction.

    During anesthesia, the clinical team will begin emergency treatment.

    After a recent procedure, seek emergency help for rapidly worsening symptoms such as severe muscle rigidity, a rapidly rising temperature, breathing difficulty, confusion, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or dark brown urine.

    However, a fever that rises quickly or occurs with rigidity, breathing problems, confusion, or a racing heartbeat needs emergency attention.

    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

    Severe muscle pain, weakness, collapse, or dark urine after extreme heat or strenuous exercise also needs urgent assessment.

    These symptoms can indicate major muscle breakdown from several possible causes.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine, non-emergency follow-up is appropriate if you have a family history, an old unexplained anesthesia reaction, or questions about testing.

    Arrange this before planned surgery when possible so records can be reviewed and a safe anesthesia plan documented.

The article also says

A mild fever after surgery is not automatically malignant hyperthermia.

Many other conditions can cause fever.

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