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
Call emergency services if joint symptoms occur with signs of severe infection, such as:
Confusion, unusual drowsiness, or difficulty waking
Severe breathing difficulty
Fainting, collapse, or cold and blotchy skin
Rapid worsening with extreme weakness
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 urgent same-day medical care for a joint that suddenly becomes very painful, swollen, hot, or difficult to move.
This is especially important if you have a fever, an artificial joint, a weakened immune system, a recent operation, or a recent joint injection.
Do not wait for redness or fever to appear.
Deep-joint infections and infections in people with reduced immune responses may not cause either sign.
Contact the treating service sooner if pain or swelling starts increasing, a surgical wound drains, fever returns, or prescribed treatment cannot be taken.
And for anyone, someone who:
has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange routine follow-up for stiffness or reduced strength that is stable or gradually improving after treatment.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Infectious arthritis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.