Emergencies

• Breathing stops for longer than 30 seconds. After calling 911 or other emergency services, see the topic Dealing With Emergencies.
• Unconsciousness
• Signs of moderate to severe difficulty breathing:
  • In a child
  • In an adult and older child
• Gunshot or stab wound
• Signs of shock:
  • In a child
  • In an adult and older child
• Signs of a serious head injury
• Signs of a spinal injury
• Severe bleeding does not slow during the first 15 minutes of steady direct pressure.
• Seizure
• Sudden partial or complete vision loss in one or both eyes. Note: Treatment is needed within 90 minutes to save vision.
• Sudden facial paralysis

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• A head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older or Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
• Eye injury: Go to the topic Eye Injuries.
• Nose injury: Go to the topic Nose Injuries.
• A mouth or dental injury: Go to the topic Mouth and Dental Injuries.