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
Seek emergency help for:
Severe difficulty breathing or new chest pain
Heavy bleeding that does not stop
Sudden confusion, fainting, seizure, or new weakness
A severe headache with neurological changes
Rapidly worsening illness during cancer treatment
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
If you have leukemia or are receiving treatment, follow the urgent-contact instructions from your treatment team.
Contact them promptly about a fever, new infection symptoms, unexpected bleeding, worsening weakness, or side effects that prevent you from drinking or taking medicines.
A fever during treatment can be urgent because chemotherapy may weaken infection-fighting cells.
Do not wait for a routine appointment if your treatment team has told you to report a particular temperature or symptom immediately.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine medical appointment if you have persistent, unexplained symptoms such as unusual tiredness, repeated infections, easy bruising, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, or weight loss.
These symptoms are more often caused by conditions other than leukemia, but they deserve assessment if they continue.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Leukemia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.