When to Call for Help

Anytime you're not comfortable with a medical situation, call 911 or your local emergency number, go to your nearest emergency room, or call your family healthcare provider.

When to get help right away

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), these conditions need medical attention right away. Call 911:

Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Choking
Chest or upper belly pain or pressure lasting 2 minutes or more
Fainting, sudden dizziness, or weakness
Changes in vision
Confusion or changes in mental status or unusual behavior
Any sudden or severe pain
Uncontrolled bleeding
Severe vomiting or diarrhea, or vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't stop
Coughing or vomiting blood
Feelings about harming yourself or others
Trouble speaking, or numbness or weakness in any part of your body
Unusual belly pain

Additional conditions

Other conditions and symptoms that need emergency attention include:

Poisoning
Drug overdose
Loss of consciousness
Major burn
Spinal cord, head, or brain injury
Severe allergic reaction
A fast heartbeat (more than 120 to 150 beats per minute) at rest, especially if linked to shortness of breath or feeling faint
A broken bone with a piece of bone poking through the skin
Drowning

Emergencies for children

ACEP says to get help right away if any of the following occur:

Any significant change from normal behavior
Confusion or delirium
Child is less responsive or alert, or is unconscious
Very sleepy
Is irritable
Seizure or abnormal shaking or twitching
Strange or withdrawn behavior
Severe headache or vomiting, especially if the child injured their head
Uncontrolled bleeding
Child can't stand up or is unsteady when walking
Breathing problems
Skin or lips that look blue or purple, or gray for darker-skinned children
Trouble feeding or eating
Pain that gets worse or is very bad
Fever with a change in behavior. This could be a sudden, severe headache, mental changes, neck or back stiffness, or rashes.
Severe vomiting or diarrhea, or vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't stop

When to call for help

Remember, if you're not comfortable with a medical situation, call for help. By acting fast, you may prevent a serious emergency and could save a life.

Medical Services