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
Get emergency help for:
Confusion, fainting, severe weakness, or difficulty breathing
Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding
Fever with shaking, rapid breathing, or feeling severely unwell
Sudden weakness, numbness, vision loss, severe headache, or trouble speaking
Severe abdominal pain with a swollen abdomen or persistent vomiting
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
Seek prompt same-day care for increasing pain, redness, swelling, pus, fever, reduced urine output, repeated vomiting, or dehydration signs such as marked thirst, dizziness, or very dark urine.
If you have a dialysis fistula, seek urgent help if its usual vibration disappears, the hand becomes cold or painful, or bleeding does not stop with firm pressure.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine appointment for unexplained ongoing drainage, a repeatedly opening wound, air or stool in the urine, urine or stool leaking through the vagina, or recurring pain and swelling near the anus.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Fistula. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.