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
Seek emergency medical care immediately if you develop sudden fever or severe illness after:
A flea bite or rodent exposure in an area where plague occurs
Handling a sick or dead animal that might have been infected
Close contact with a person or animal suspected of pneumonic plague
Fever with a new, very painful swollen lymph node also needs immediate assessment.
Call ahead when possible and describe the exposure so the healthcare setting can prepare safely.
Cough, chest pain, bloody sputum, or difficulty breathing after a possible plague exposure is an emergency.
Avoid close contact with other people while arranging care.
Follow instructions from emergency or public health services about transport and face coverings.
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
Contact your care team sooner for returning fever, worsening weakness, new swelling, increasing pain, breathing symptoms, or trouble taking the prescribed antibiotics.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine follow-up is appropriate after treatment if recovery is continuing as expected.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Plague. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.