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Warning-sign checks

Acute bronchitis: when to get help

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. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for severe difficulty breathing, blue or gray lips or face, new confusion, fainting, severe or persistent chest pain, or coughing up a large amount of blood.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    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 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. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact a clinician sooner if symptoms improve and then become worse, fever develops after being absent, or wheezing and breathlessness continue.

    Parents should also seek medical advice promptly for infants or for children who are breathing harder than usual, drinking poorly, or behaving unusually.

    Seek prompt, same-day medical care for:

    • New or worsening shortness of breath
    • Persistent or high fever
    • Repeated vomiting or signs of dehydration
    • Coughing up blood, even in a small amount
    • Symptoms suggesting whooping cough
    • A worsening asthma or COPD action-plan reading or response

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is reasonable if the cough is not clearly improving after about three weeks, continues beyond several weeks, or repeatedly returns.

    For routine recovery, reduce exposure to others while feverish or acutely unwell, cover coughs, wash hands, and follow current public health advice if COVID-19 or influenza is suspected.

    Staying up to date with recommended vaccines can reduce the risk of some infections that cause acute cough.

The article also says

People who are pregnant, immunocompromised, older and frail, or living with serious heart or lung disease may need earlier assessment.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Acute bronchitis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.