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Warning-sign checks

Psittacosis: 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 urgent or emergency help for:

    • Severe or rapidly worsening difficulty breathing
    • Blue, grey, or unusually pale lips or skin
    • New confusion, fainting, or difficulty staying awake
    • Severe chest pain
    • Coughing up more than small streaks of blood
    • Signs of very low oxygen, if you monitor oxygen at home
    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. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange prompt medical assessment if you develop fever, headache, cough, or shortness of breath after contact with birds or bird droppings.

    State clearly that you have had bird exposure, including the bird species, type of contact, and approximate date.

    These symptoms can occur with severe pneumonia or another urgent condition.

    They should not wait for a routine appointment.

The article also says

Contact your healthcare service again if you are being treated but symptoms are worsening, fever returns, you cannot keep fluids or antibiotics down, or you are not beginning to improve as expected.

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