Symptoms of an Emergency
Minor illnesses and health conditions can often wait, but some symptoms always demand potentially life-saving, immediate medical attention provided at a hospital. A medical emergency can include things like head injuries, severe abdominal pain, high fevers and signs of heart attack or stroke.
Recognizing Serious Illness or Injury
Fainting, fevers greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit in infants and 105 degrees in older children and adults, severe pain anywhere in the body and significant vomiting or diarrhea require immediate medical evaluation. In terms of injuries, head injuries — especially those accompanied by loss of consciousness and/or vomiting — and deep wounds causing bleeding unmanageable through basic first aid are health issues that are best managed in the ER.
Heart Attacks and Strokes
A heart attack is often recognized by signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath and upper-body discomfort, while a stroke can include severe headache, disorientation, difficulty walking and/or speaking, and weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
But there are lesser-known signs of emergency medical conditions that you might not be aware of. Women's symptoms often differ from those experienced by men. When a woman goes into cardiac arrest, fatigue and nausea are common, and a woman experiencing a stroke may experience chest pain, heart palpitations, nausea and shortness of breath, according to the National Stroke Association.
Learn more about the warning signs of a heart attack.
Learn more about the warning signs of a stroke.
The Bottom Line
Although the symptoms mentioned above are commonly associated with medical emergencies, you know your body best and should always feel comfortable seeking emergency medical care any time you experience unusual or concerning symptoms. This will not only set your mind at ease, but also ensure you have quick access to potentially lifesaving medical care at a hospital's emergency department, if needed.
This list is not comprehensive of all emergency symptoms. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.