sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site

Warning-sign checks

Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria: 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

    Seek emergency care for:

    • Difficulty breathing at rest
    • Chest pain
    • Fainting or inability to stay awake
    • Confusion or severe weakness
    • A very fast heartbeat with dizziness
    • Very little or no urine
    • Rapidly worsening pallor or jaundice

    For a baby or young child, emergency signs also include unusual limpness, difficulty waking, struggling to breathe, or being too weak to drink.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    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 you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical assessment for unexplained red or brown urine, yellow skin or eyes, marked pallor, or a sudden loss of energy.

    These symptoms have several possible causes and require testing.

    If you have already been diagnosed with PCH, contact your healthcare team promptly if dark urine returns, tiredness worsens, fever persists, or you are passing less urine than usual.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    These are reasons for earlier review, not just routine follow-up.

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