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
These concerns usually need timely follow-up but are not automatically emergencies.
Call emergency services for trouble breathing, severe chest pain, blue or grey lips, fainting, a seizure, unusual difficulty waking, or signs of stroke.
Stroke signs include facial drooping, weakness on one side, speech difficulty, sudden confusion, loss of balance, or a sudden severe headache.
A painful erection lasting four hours is also an emergency because delayed treatment can cause lasting damage.
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
Contact your usual sickle cell team promptly if episodes are becoming more frequent, pain is changing, home treatment is less effective, or medicine side effects are causing problems.
Seek urgent medical assessment for:
Pain that is severe, unusual, or not improving with your home plan
Fever, especially 38.5°C or higher, or the threshold in your care plan
Repeated vomiting or difficulty drinking
Marked weakness, paleness, or a racing heartbeat
A painful erection that persists or keeps returning
New abdominal swelling, particularly in a child
And for anyone, someone who:
is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Sickle cell crisis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.