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, chest pain, fainting, confusion, blue or grey lips, or signs of a severe allergic reaction during or after a transfusion.
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 them sooner if fatigue, jaundice, breathlessness, abdominal discomfort, or exercise tolerance is gradually worsening.
New upper abdominal pain may need assessment for gallstones or spleen enlargement.
Seek urgent same-day medical advice for:
A sudden increase in weakness, pallor, jaundice, or dark urine
Breathlessness that is new or clearly worse
Severe or persistent upper abdominal pain
Fever or signs of infection after splenectomy
Symptoms suggesting a blood clot, such as one-sided leg swelling
A fever after splenectomy needs prompt assessment even if it initially seems mild.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange routine follow-up with the team overseeing your condition.
This is different from routine monitoring because serious infections can progress quickly without a working spleen.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Pyruvate kinase deficiency. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.