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 for new or rapidly worsening:
Arm or leg weakness
Trouble standing or walking
Numbness around the genitals, buttocks, or inner thighs
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Inability to urinate
Severe back or neck pain with fever or marked illness
These symptoms do not always mean there is a spinal abscess, but they can indicate pressure or infection affecting the spinal cord.
New weakness or bladder or bowel changes require emergency assessment rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
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
Prompt assessment is important.
If you are already being treated for a spinal abscess, seek urgent advice for returning fever, worsening pain, drainage from a surgical wound, or new tingling or numbness.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Spinal cord abscess. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.