sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Thrombophlebitis: 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

    Call emergency services for:

    • Sudden or unexplained shortness of breath
    • Chest pain, especially pain that worsens with breathing
    • Coughing up blood
    • Fainting, severe weakness or collapse

    These symptoms may indicate a pulmonary embolism or another serious condition.

    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

    Seek urgent same-day medical assessment for new one-sided limb swelling, rapidly increasing pain or swelling, or redness that is spreading toward the groin or behind the knee.

    Urgent assessment is also appropriate if clot symptoms develop during pregnancy, soon after giving birth, after recent surgery, or when you have cancer or a previous blood clot.

    Fever, chills, pus or worsening redness around a cannula site may suggest infection and should be assessed promptly.

    If you take an anticoagulant, seek urgent help for heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, vomiting blood, black stools, severe headache after a head injury or other bleeding that concerns you.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine medical review for a tender, hard superficial vein even if you otherwise feel well.

    Follow-up is also appropriate if symptoms are not improving as expected, keep returning or remain troublesome after the initial episode.

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